Nearly Men Alexander Zverev And Grigor Dimitrov Target US Open Semi-Finals

Alexander Zverev and fellow Grand Slam veteran Grigor Dimitrov look to make the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday and take a step closer to maiden Grand Slam titles. US duo Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe are standing in their way as they aim to end their country's 21-year wait for a male Slam champion. In the women's draw, world number two Aryna Sabalenka, the runner-up in 2023, faces Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen while Emma Navarro takes on Paula Badosa in a clash between two women born in New York.

AFP Sport looks at Tuesday's four quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows (x denotes seeded player):

Taylor Fritz (USA x12) v Alexander Zverev (GER x4)

Head-to-head: Zverev leads 5-4

-- Zverev was runner-up to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final where he gave up a two sets lead.

The German star also came off second-best to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final in June this year in another five-setter.

With four-time champion Novak Djokovic knocked out in the third round, the 27-year-old Zverev is the highest-ranked man left in his half of the draw as he seeks a third appearance in the semi-finals in New York.

"I'm doing everything I can to win a Slam, everything else is out of my power," he said.

"I'm trying my best and hopefully it will be enough at some stage in my career."

Fritz made the last-eight in 2023 and has already reached three quarter-finals at the Slams this year.

Fritz defeated Zverev in the fourth round at Wimbledon in July from two sets down with the German hampered by a knee injury which forced him to complete the match "on one leg".

Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x9) v Frances Tiafoe (USA x20)

Head-to-head: Dimitrov leads 3-1

At 33, Dimitrov is the oldest man left in the draw and is seeking a second semi-final