US Open 2026: Day 9 — Zheng Stuns Swiatek as Rybakina, Gauff and Zverev March On

 



Day 9 of the 2026 US Open delivered a compelling mixture of dramatic comebacks, major upsets and authoritative performances as the singles draws reached the quarter-final stage. The biggest headline came from Qinwen Zheng, who produced a superb comeback to defeat former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, while Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev advanced in impressive fashion. 


Zheng produces stunning Swiatek upset

China's Qinwen Zheng produced one of the day's finest performances, defeating eighth seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3. Swiatek appeared to be in complete control of the opening set when she raced into a 5-0 lead, but Zheng responded magnificently, winning seven consecutive games to steal the set.

The Olympic champion maintained her momentum in the second set, producing a composed and aggressive display to eliminate the six-time Grand Slam champion. Zheng has now reached the US Open quarter-finals for the third consecutive time and will face Elena Rybakina for a place in the semi-finals. 


Rybakina sweeps aside Osaka

Second seed Elena Rybakina was ruthless against two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, winning 6-1, 6-4.

Rybakina's combination of a devastating serve and penetrating groundstrokes proved too much for Osaka, who struggled to impose herself on the match. The Kazakh has reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set and is now tantalisingly close to becoming world No. 1. 


Gauff continues impressive title campaign

Defending champion Coco Gauff delivered another authoritative performance, defeating compatriot Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4.

Gauff dominated the rallies with aggressive baseline tennis and finished with 18 winners to Jovic's nine, while committing only 15 unforced errors compared with Jovic's 30. The victory extended Gauff's winning streak to nine matches and sent her into another US Open quarter-final. 


She will next meet French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, who fought back from losing the opening set to defeat Anastasia Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 and reach her first US Open quarter-final. 


Zverev cruises into another quarter-final

Top seed Alexander Zverev produced a commanding display against Italy's Luciano Darderi, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3).

The German controlled the contest with his powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes, although Darderi threatened to force a fourth set after mounting a late challenge. Zverev held his nerve in the tie-break to complete a straight-sets victory.

The result also means Zverev has reached the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2026, an outstanding achievement. He will meet Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp next. 


Blockx creates Belgian history

Belgium's Alexander Blockx continued his remarkable breakthrough tournament by defeating 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.

The victory made Blockx the first Belgian man to reach the US Open singles quarter-finals, adding another remarkable chapter to his New York campaign. 


Khachanov survives Tien thriller

Karen Khachanov endured a marathon battle against American youngster Learner Tien before prevailing 7-5, 4-6, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4.

Tien showed remarkable fighting spirit, recovering from a set down and taking the third-set tie-break, but Khachanov's greater experience eventually told in the final two sets. The Russian moves into the quarter-finals against Blockx. 


Van de Zandschulp wins five-set epic

Botic van de Zandschulp completed one of the day's most exhausting victories, overcoming France's Arthur Gea 3-6, 6-7(0), 7-6(9), 7-6(3), 6-4.

The Dutchman survived two consecutive tie-breaks before finally sealing victory in the deciding set after a gruelling contest lasting around five hours. 


Quarter-final picture

The men's quarter-final line-up now features:

Alexander Zverev vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Karen Khachanov vs Alexander Blockx

Frances Tiafoe vs Alex Michelsen

Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz

On the women's side:

Elena Rybakina vs Qinwen Zheng

Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva

The remaining women's quarter-finals feature Aryna Sabalenka vs Linda Noskova and Jessica Pegula vs Emma Navarro. 


Day 9 verdict

Day 9 dramatically reshaped the championship picture. Zheng's sensational comeback against Swiatek was the upset of the day, while Rybakina and Gauff strengthened their credentials with emphatic victories. Zverev continued his remarkably consistent Grand Slam season, while Blockx emerged as the day's breakout men's star.

With the quarter-finals now underway, the 2026 US Open is entering its decisive phase—with several established champions facing hungry challengers and the prospect of some enthralling semi-final battles looming large. 


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