US Open Predictions: Zverev Heads Best Bets Ahead Of Men’s Semi-Finals

We’re into the semi-finals of the 2026 US Open and William Hill News take a look at the men’s competition, with four selections ahead of Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov.

Without further ado, it’s time to analyse the tennis betting odds ahead of the semi-final matchups. Read on for our best bets and predictions below.

US Open Predictions Today:

• Ben Shelton -4.5 games (17/20)
• Ben Shelton to win 3-1 (13/5)
• Alexander Zverev -5.5 games (17/20)
• Alexander Zverev to win 3-0 (23/20)

Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton Prediction

Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton meeting in the semi-final ensures an American will be in the men’s singles final for only the second time since 2006. You have to go back to 2003 for the last time an American man won the US Open.

Tiafoe was at his enthralling best as he came from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen in a final-set tiebreak. Shelton’s win was even more remarkable, playing past 3am to defeat title favourite Carlos Alcaraz in a final-set breaker.

Both players are chasing their first Slam finals. Both have been here before (Shelton in 2023; Tiafoe in 2022 and 2024). Shelton has a 3-1 record against Tiafoe, but the latter beat the former in a five-set duel in the 2024 US Open.

The betting markets make Shelton the heavy favourite at 1/3. Both players have played at a high level of late, with Shelton winning in Montreal and Tiafoe reaching the final in Cincinnati, but Shelton’s ceiling is higher than Tiafoe’s, as he showed in the quarters.

Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov Prediction

Alexander Zverev won’t have an easier path to a Slam final. He’s not had to face a player seeded in the top 20 so far and will take on unseeded veteran Karen Khachanov in Friday’s semi-final.

After the first two men’s quarters and all four women’s quarters went the distance, Zverev and Khachanov played the minimum number of sets. Khachanov was two sets to love up and leading 3-2 in the third when Alexander Blockx retired. Zverev dropped eight games in a straight sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp.

A finalist at Wimbledon and the champion at Roland Garros, Zverev has made two previous hard-court Slam finals. Khachanov is a two-time Slam semifinalist, but suffered defeats to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud.

Zverev has won four of the last five meetings, but it’s significant that Khachanov got the better of the German in last year’s Canadian Open.

Still, this feels like a step too far in Khachanov’s improbable run. Zverev should make yet another Slam final.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*