The semifinals on the men's side of the 2026 US Open will take place on Friday, September 11, and an American man is guaranteed to make the final. That is because Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton will face one another in one of the semifinal matches.
The women's semifinals will be held on Thursday, and the final could be an all-American final, though Coco Gauff would have to defeat soon-to-be WTA No. 1 Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula would need to beat two-time defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in her semi.
No matter what happens in any of the semifinal matches on the men's or women's sides, the finals are looking like they will be elite viewing for tennis fans. Still, here is how to watch and guesses on who will win in the men's semifinals.
Previews and predictions for the men's semifinals at the 2026 US Open
Alexander Zverev vs. Karen Khachanov - 3 pm ET
After being the best player of his generation to never win a major, Zverev has a chance to win two in 2026. Has he been helped by injuries to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner? Sure, but everyone has. Zverev could be on the verge of truly taking advantage.
He also won't feel the stress of still trying to win his first Grand Slam, as he took the title at the French Open in 2026. Clay is his best surface, though he is quite good at everything, really. Khachanov, however, has the skill set to give him real issues.
The two players have met nine times before, and Khachanov has won three times, but only once in their five meetings since 2021. Zverev likely wins this match too, and in four sets. Fans will like what unfolds, but there is little doubt they will be glued to what happens in the later match.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Ben Shelton - Not before 7 pm ET
This should be fun. The positive is that no matter who wins, an American will be part of the final with a decent chance of becoming the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam. (American women don't have the same issue; six women have won majors since 2003.)
The negative is that either Tiafoe or Shelton has to lose. Both are excellent players and showmen, capable of winning a major. Shelton probably has a lot more time to do so, however. He is 23 years old, while Tiafoe is 28.
The two have met four times before, and Shelton has won three times. Tiafoe did get the better of Shelton in the round of 32 at the 2024 US Open. Of the two, Shelton entered the major in slightly better form, having taken the title for the second straight year at the Canadian Open (and has since defeated 2025 US Open champ Carlos Alcaraz). He will probably defeat Tiafoe in five sets.
US Open 2026: How to watch/stream
- United States: ESPN
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- Canada: RDS
- Australia: Nine and Stan Sport
- France: Eurosport France
- Italy: Sky Sport Italia
- India: JioHotstar
- Spain: Telefonica/Movistar
- Mexico, Caribbean, and most of South America: ESPN
- Brazil: sporttv
- China: CCTV and Migu TV
- Japan: WOWOW
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
No matter where you live, you likely have access to watch the matches above. You can click here for all the official broadcast partners of the US Open.
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