Alexander Zverev Reaches US Open Quarterfinals and Ties Boris Becker’s German Record

Zverev matches Becker’s milestone under the New York lights

Zverev defeated Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6:2, 6:2, 7:6 (7:3) inside New York City’s USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, closing out the match at 23:47 local time after two hours and thirty minutes on court. The world number four relied on a dominant first serve, keeping the unseeded Italian under constant pressure throughout the first two sets before fending off a late surge in the third-set tiebreak.

A historic sweep of major quarterfinal appearances

The win marks Zverev’s 22nd match victory at a Grand Slam tournament this season, tying Becker’s 1989 German record for the most major-tournament match wins in a single calendar year. It also completes a clean sweep of quarterfinal appearances across all four major championships in the current season—a career first for the 29-year-old Hamburg native.

Contasting physical toll sets up Wednesday’s clash

Zverev now advances to face the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals. Van de Zandschulp earned his spot in the last eight after a grueling five-set encounter against France’s Arthur Gea that ranks as the fourth-longest match in tournament history. Having also required five sets in his previous round, the Dutch player enters Wednesday’s contest following heavy minutes on court.

“I can still stand,” said Botic van de Zandschulp following his five-set victory over Arthur Gea, describing the physical toll of his path to the next round.

Energy conservation and the road ahead

By contrast, Zverev managed to conserve energy after navigating a fourth-round performance. Earlier in the tournament, the German player spent approximately nine and a half hours on court during his opening two rounds before finding his rhythm in straight-set victories.

With the tournament’s remaining section featuring lower-ranked opponents—including potential semifinal matches against Karen Khachanov or Alexander Blockx—pathways remain open for Zverev to reach his first US Open final since 2020.