US Open 2026: comebacks and surprise guests

VDZ takes us back to 2021

World No.70 Botic Van de Zandschulp is a different beast at the US Open.

Rewind to 2021 and the Dutchman capped his debut by reaching the quarter-finals, eventually losing to the title winner Daniil Medvedev. Three years later, he dismissed Alcaraz in straight sets in the second round.

Well, in 2026 the 30-year-old is making waves in Queens again.

Van de Zandschulp saved match point in the third set tie-break to overhaul France’s Lucky Loser Arthur Géa 3-6, 6-7(0), 7-6(7), 7-6(3), 6-4. They broke the record for the most ever points in a US Open match, totalling 409. What an epic, clocking 5 hours and 13 minutes as the fourth longest match ever at the US Open.

The Dutchman insisted he had “no clue” how he completed this “crazy” comeback.

“I think this is probably better than the first quarter-final I made here,” van de Zandschulp said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I think tomorrow, it’s going to be a great feeling.”

His reward is a clash with top seed and reigning Roland-Garros champion Alexander Zverev.

Khachanov keeping the young guns at bay

The last time Karen Khachanov competed in a major as an unseeded player was all the way back at the 2018 Wimbledon. That’s the case eight years later in NYC.

He’s been ranked in the Top 10, has featured in the tail end of Grand Slams, but in recent years has suffered his fair share of fifth-set heartbreak.

At the US Open, Khachanov fell last year in a decisive match tie-break across the net from Kamil Majchrzak, then in 2024, he was on the painful end of the longest match in US Open history, which was over five hours and 35 minutes versus Dan Evans.

Consequently, Khachanov’s return to the big time at Flushing Meadows is particularly welcome. The 2022 semi-finalist battled back into the Elite 8 with an enthralling 7-5, 4-6, 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4 passage past American prodigy Learner Tien.

“There were some doubts. There were some more ups and downs this season,” admitted Khachanov. “But look, this is the beauty of tennis in a way, that if you put yourself in a good perspective, you believe. Everything can change in one week. You have to be ready for that. Obviously it doesn't come as a miracle. I worked for it.”

That hard work will be put to the test by another young gun in the shape of Belgian’s Alexander Blockx in the quarter-finals.

“Slowly a new generation of players are coming. They are hungry, they are improving, they are playing a better and better level of tennis,” added the former world No.8. “So you have to be mentally and physically fit to show your best level. That’s it!”

Blockx breakthrough hits another milestone

Ranked down at No.116, Blockx fell in qualifying last year in New York City. The Belgian has risen through the ATP Challenger ranks, cracked the Top 100 to enjoy seismic rise in 2026.

The 21-year-old took a significant step up at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid with a semi-final spot in April. Blockx has also made his main draw debut at all four Grand Slams. However, his 2026 US Open campaign has catapulted him several more steps up.

On Monday, the No.28 seed earned his maiden major quarter-final with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 scoreboard over world No.25 Francisco Cerundolo. Remarkably Blockx did so with a piercing rib pain and was “really close to retiring,” if he lost the third set.

“It was unreal, to be honest,” said Blockx on Arthur Ashe Stadium, becoming the first Belgian man to reach the singles Last 8 at Flushing Meadows. “This morning, I stepped on this court for the first time to warm up and that felt unreal already. So playing a match here, winning a match here, is crazy.

“I just do my thing. I work hard. Even though I have tough losses sometimes I know that good times are always coming. And now it’s one of those good times.”

Michelsen out to steal Foe show

Due to the constant stream of Team USA success across the men’s and women’s draws, Alex Michelsen is somewhat out of the spotlight and he’s more than happy to do so.

“I love being under the radar,” declared the 22-year-old shortly after securing a first Grand Slam quarter-final.

“I can't complain. I have been playing super well the whole week. Haven't dropped a set yet. I have a lot of emotions right now. I'm a little bit short for words, but I'm super happy.”

No more flying under the radar Alex.

It’s all clicked for the world No.46 by “working my ass off.” On Tuesday afternoon Michelsen will stroll onto Arthur Ashe Stadium to meet the ultimate showman Frances Tiafoe.

“I think I probably first watched him when he played Fed (Roger Federer) here on Ashe in 2017. I kind of remember watching that from home. I was probably like 12, 13-years-old, so that was cool.

“I played him twice. I'm 0-2. Going to have to change something a little bit. It's also been a long time since I have played him. I feel like I've improved.

“He's also an unbelievable guy and a very good friend of mine. I think it's going to be an absolute blast. Playing on Ashe, I think that will be a one-of-a-kind experience.”

The American all-star who books their semi-final spot will then duel with Team USA powerhouse Ben Shelton or Carlos Alcaraz.