Catch up on our coverage as Day 9 at Flushing Meadows completed the singles’ quarterfinal lineup. The Athletic Live TeamSeptember 8, 2026 at 2:26 PM EDTAlexander Zverev won in straight sets to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Getty ImagesU.S. Open Day 9 — RecapTop men’s seed Alexander Zverev marched on into the U.S. Open last eight in New York.The French Open champion enjoyed a routine straight sets win over Luciano Darderi (21) in the night cap on Arthur Ashe, completing the quarterfinal lineup in the singles draws. Coco Gauff (4) is also there after beating fellow American Iva Jović (14) 6-1, 6-4 — but there was disappointment for Learner Tien (14) who lost in five sets to Karen Khachanov on Louis Armstrong, while Iga Świątek (8) was stunned 7-5, 6-3 by Zheng Qinwen despite leading the first set 5-0. Elena Rybakina (2) saw off Naomi Osaka (13) and Mirra Andreeva (5) also made the quarterfinals.Watch or listen to The Tennis PodcastJoin the Discuss tab or email: live@theathletic.comSKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementGetting ready for another bumper day Getty ImagesThe volume of matches begins to thin out a little from here, but boy is the quality going to be high — and also a lot of fun to follow.Tuesday’s four quarterfinal matches all take place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with play once again due to start on the show court from 11:30 a.m. ET and the night session from 7 p.m. ET.And we will see you for all of it, bringing you all the storylines, action, context and reaction that matters.See you then. As for the men ReutersAnd here is what we’ve got to look forward to from the men’s singles with the last-eight draw.Alexander Zverev (1) vs. Botic van de ZandschulpKaren Khachanov vs. Alexander Blockx (28)Frances Tiafoe (11) vs. Alex MichelsenBen Shelton (8) vs. Carlos Alcaraz (2)At least one American man is guaranteed to reach the semifinals, and there’s a chance it could be an all-American affair.Those bottom two quarterfinal matchups — as with the women — take place Tuesday.The quarterfinals are set ReutersWith that, we have our quarterfinals lineups complete in the U.S. Open singles.Here’s how they look, starting with the women:Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Linda Nosková (6)Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Emma Navarro (26)Mirra Andreeva (5) vs. Coco Gauff (4)Zheng Qinwen vs. Elena Rybakina (2)Zverev happy for an earlier finish ReutersAlexander Zverev takes the mic on court following his straight sets win — which is a little different to the two five-set marathons endured in this slot in the first and second rounds. Here’s what Zverev said, starting with a word for his opponent, Luciano Darderi:💬 “I thought my level was very consistent. He started playing incredibly well in the third set. I barely saw anyone hit the ball as hard as he did consistently for an entire set, so credit to him. He made it very difficult for me, but I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals and happy to be playing this way. “To be honest, I don’t know what to do with myself because it’s before midnight. So I might go back to the practice court, I might go out to a bar. I don’t know yet.”And yes, Zverev did then clarify that he was making a joke about heading to a bar. Next up for No. 1 Getty ImagesOne victorious stroke of the ponytail at a time for the French Open champion.Alexander Zverev marches on.An intriguing clash with Botic van de Zandschulp awaits in the quarterfinals. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementGame, Set, Match: Zverev advances with ease Getty ImagesZverev 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) DarderiACE.Job done in straight sets for the No. 1 seed.That is more like it. Alexander Zverev looking good now we’re getting to the business end of this final Grand Slam of the year. Match point, ZverevZverev 6-2, 6-2, 6-6 (*6-3) DarderiA forehand pass from Zverev and Darderi is starting to cut the figure of someone who knows the game might soon be up.A stunning forehand winner into the corner from Zverev brings up a first match point on Zverev’s serve.Zverev with the mini-breakZverev 6-2, 6-2, 6-6 (*4-2) DarderiOoo … this is tight. First four points of the tiebreak on serve. The rallies are starting to lengthen again too.But the longest by far ends with Darderi netting from the baseline and then swiping in frustration.Zverev waits him out and that could be enough. Into the changeover.Third set tiebreak time! ReutersZverev 6-2, 6-2, 6-6 (*0-0) DarderiIt looks like the sweet respite of a quick hold here for Alexander Zverev, but he mucks up his second serve and double faults — then nets from the baseline. We have deuce.Zverev slipping into his passive, safety-first mode right now, and it’s not doing him any favors.But it is still enough. Zverev serves it out as Luciano Darderi gets his positioning for the return all wrong and we are into a third-set tiebreak.Crunch time. Zverev 6-2, 6-2, *5-6 DarderiThere it is! Darderi comes to the net, slices a backhand volley that Zverev can’t reach and we STAY on serve in the third set. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement ReutersZverev 6-2, 6-2, 5-5* (40-40) DarderiOh no, not a double! Darderi faults on the second serve for a third break point to Zverev — and then has Arthur Ashe on its feet as he just about volleys into the open court at the net to save it.It might be the crowd is celebrating like this because they know this match isn’t for much longer. These margins are wild!Still, we tick on. A fourth visit to deuce and then a fourth break point for Zverev.And Zverev is back on his heels as he nets the forehand pass attempt. Zverev 6-2, 6-2, 5-5* (40-40) DarderiZverev is a little passive at 15-15 and then gets to watch Darderi net again off his forehand for 15-30 and a little look at a first break in this set.Darderi rides it for the moment but Zverev gets to come to the net and rolls the forehand pass for only his second break point in this set. Darderi saves it with the help of a gorgeous drop shot but trouble comes back around at the net for a second Zverev break point … and the No. 1 seed blocks the return into the net. Waste!It’s tense now! Huge game, this. Smelling troubleZverev 6-2, 6-2, 5-5* DarderiThere’s a point here at 30-15 where Darderi steps up for the Zverev serve, reads it and then has a forehand to really grab the initiative — and he slings it into the net.That is a missed opportunity for the Italian, and he shows that he knows it.Now the pressure shifts onto Darderi’s racket as he fights for his life in this fourth round match. Loves to go around Getty ImagesZverev 6-2, 6-2, *4-5 DarderiLuciano Darderi’s first-serve percentage has risen thankfully, from the depths of 36 to the modest acceptability of 48.That has helped him improve in this third set, especially as he continues to win points when he does get his first serve in — he’s currently sat at 16 of 17 in this set.Two holds to love here. The tension just climbs a notch with it.In theory, the Italian is one game away from getting a set back. Zverev 6-2, 6-2, *3-4 DarderiThe Darderi holds are starting to get shorter than those on the Zverev serve.We’re in an interesting spot right now in this third set.Although we’re also safe in the knowledge that this is as interesting as this match could get! We will see. SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementWarming into it Getty ImagesZverev 6-2, 6-2, *2-3 DarderiArthur Ashe is getting a competitive set, that’s the good news. Luciano Darderi hasn’t got much on Alexander Zverev’s serve — the No. 1 seed holds to love again — but there is more solidity when Darderi gets his turn at the line.The question is, can the Italian build on this or is this the maximum level as he delays in inevitable? Zverev 6-2, 6-2, *1-2 DarderiThere’s a roar from Darderi as he holds from 30-30 to keep it clean in this third set, and this is real progress from the Italian.Zverev definitely doesn’t look flustered either, of course. He’ll bide his time here.Into the third set Getty ImagesZverev 6-2, 6-2, *0-1 DarderiLuciano Darderi takes a little pace off the serve, gets his first serve in and holds to 15.Now that bodes much better!And it means for the time in this match, he’s held one of his opening two service games in a set.Zverev soon makes it 2-0Zverev 6-2, 6-2, 0-0* DarderiThis is very different to the previous two rounds that Alexander Zverev has had to endure on Arthur Ashe at this U.S. Open.From epic five-set battles, this one is two sets deep and already looking over.Luciano Darderi loses both with double breaks in the opening four games and Alexander Zverev looks supremely comfortable out there.Surely this third set has to start differently? Darderi to serve first.