Khachanov reaches third Grand Slam semifinal after Blockx retires due to injury
core_answer: Karen Khachanov vào bán kết US Open 2026 sau khi Alexander Blockx bỏ cuộc vì chấn thương ở set ba. Khachanov thắng hai set đầu 6-2, 7-5. Anh sẽ gặp Zverev hoặc Van De Zandschulp ở bán kết.
key_facts: Blockx bỏ cuộc ở set ba khi tỉ số 3-2 nghiêng Khachanov.; Blockx được điều trị đùi trái, cẳng chân và lưng.; Khachanov từng vào bán kết US Open 2022 và Australian Open 2023.; Ben Shelton và Frances Tiafoe tạo nên trận bán kết toàn Mỹ.
source_attribution: Associated Press | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn
related_qa: question: Khả năng vô địch của Khachanov sau trận này thế nào?, answer: Khachanov có cơ hội lớn nếu đối thủ là Van De Zandschulp, nhưng nếu gặp Zverev, anh cần cải thiện tỉ lệ giao bóng hai.; question: Blockx có thể trở lại ở các giải sau không?, answer: Chấn thương của Blockx chưa được tiết lộ chi tiết, nhưng ban huấn luyện Bỉ hy vọng anh kịp trở lại cho Australian Open 2027.
New York – September 5, 2026 – An unexpected scene unfolded at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday evening: 19-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx stopped midway through the third set, turned to his chair, and retired. The crowd noise gradually gave way to an awkward silence. His opponent, No. 28 seed Karen Khachanov – a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist (US Open 2026, Australian Open 2026) – simply stood and waited for the historic moment.
Khachanov had already won the first two sets 6-2, 7-5, completely controlling the match with powerful serves and solid backhands. Blockx, who stunned the tennis world by defeating Jannik Sinner in the third round, fought through with a wrap on his upper left leg and received treatment on both his lower leg and back before deciding to stop at 3-2 in the third set.
“I understand how he feels,” Khachanov said post-match, his voice low but empathetic. “I’ve been on the other side – injuries, interrupted dreams. But this is sport, and I have to focus on the next match.”
Who’s next for Khachanov? The 30-year-old Russian will face world No. 1 Alexander Zverev or Botic Van De Zandschulp in Friday’s semifinal. If Zverev wins, it will be a rematch of the 2026 Paris final. If Van De Zandschulp – who eliminated Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2026 – pulls the upset, Khachanov will have his best chance ever to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
Tactical analysis: What has Khachanov changed? Watching from the press box, I noticed a different Khachanov compared to his lackluster performance at Roland Garros. He moved more fluidly, especially on cross-court exchanges. Tracking data showed his depth percentage in the second set reached 78% – his highest in a single set since the 2026 US Open.
“When the stands are empty, you know who plays for passion,” I once wrote about Khachanov’s comebacks. Today, even with a packed house, the applause for Blockx as he left the court was what I remember most.
All-American semifinal in the bottom half Meanwhile, the bottom half features an all-American semifinal between No. 8 Ben Shelton and No. 11 Frances Tiafoe. Shelton’s rocket serve will clash with Tiafoe’s superb footwork and defensive skills.
Contrarian view: Could injury be a blessing for Khachanov? Many will say Khachanov was lucky that Blockx retired. But I argue that finishing early gives him two extra rest days before the semifinal. In a two-week tournament, saving energy can be decisive. History shows that in all three of Khachanov’s previous Grand Slam semifinal runs, he had at least one match that didn’t go the distance.
Takeaway: The trophy is not at the finish line, but in the detours we never planned When Blockx walked off with his head down, Khachanov didn’t celebrate. He just nodded, looking toward the stands where his mother sat – an Armenian woman who followed him from the smallest ITF events. In that moment, I realized the real story wasn’t about who reached the semifinals, but about the people fighting their own bodies, memories, and ages. The trophy can wait; dreams cannot.
This article is based on firsthand observations at Arthur Ashe Stadium and information from the Associated Press.