Khachanov reaches US Open semi-finals as Blockx retires

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Karen Khachanov punched his ticket to the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday, advancing when Belgian Alexander Blockx retired from their quarter-final with the Russian leading 6-2, 7-5, 3-2. Khachanov, currently ranked 50th in the world, entered the tournament unseeded at a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2018.

But he is in his third Grand Slam semi-final after making it to the last four at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open. He will face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp, who were both locked in battle at press time for a place in the final. Khachanov’s run to the quarters had featured wins over third-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and rising US talent Learner Tien, seeded 14th. In Blockx, he faced an opponent who was already battling injuries…