At the US Open 2026, Karen Khachanov reached a milestone according to ESPN Argentina, who noted his advancement past Alexander Blockx, who was forced to retire during their quarterfinal clash at Flushing Meadows in New York.
The tournament staged in New York City brought both high drama and physical attrition across the singles draws.
How Khachanov Secured His Place in the US Open 2026 Quarterfinals
The path to this historical milestone opened up during a grueling encounter against Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx. According to match reports from ESPN Argentina, Blockx suffered severe physical fatigue following a demanding previous match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo. That accumulated strain forced Blockx to abandon the quarterfinal contest against Khachanov.
“My body said enough,” the vanquisher of Cerúndolo explained to reporters after retiring from the court, offering a tragicomic assessment of his physical collapse during what had been the best tournament run of his professional career. With Blockx unable to continue, Khachanov accepted the advancing berth, marking a significant stage at a major championship.
Broader Context and Historical Parallels at Flushing Meadows
The 2026 edition of the final Grand Slam of the season delivered historic drama well beyond the men’s singles quarterfinals. Earlier in the fortnight, Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton shattered tournament records by playing the latest-finishing match in US Open history, engaging in a late-night battle that pushed past previous scheduling boundaries in New York. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev fought his way back to the semifinals, earning a spot on an elite tournament honor roll alongside tennis greats like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, and Jannik Sinner, according to coverage from ESPN Argentina.
On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina upended the WTA rankings by defeating Coco Gauff to reach her first US Open final, capturing the world number one ranking and displacing Aryna Sabalenka in the process. Sabalenka herself advanced to her fourth US Open final, overcoming Jessica Pegula under the watchful eye of a football legend who appeared in her guest box.
What Comes Next for Khachanov
Having secured his spot among the final four contenders through a combination of steady play and his opponent’s unfortunate retirement, Khachanov shifts his focus to the next round of the US Open 2026. Official tournament schedules and broadcast details for the upcoming semifinals remain available through the official ATP Tour and Grand Slam platforms as the players prepare for the penultimate weekend in New York.
Related reading
