Late-Night Matches Challenge US Open Semi-Finalists' Rest

The US Open is living up to its reputation as the city that never sleeps, with several matches extending into the early morning hours. This has posed challenges for players like Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev, who are facing the repercussions of such late finishes as they prepare for their semi-final matches.

Zverev, who has experienced late nights throughout the tournament, noted that he has gone to bed as late as 6:45 AM in the past week, leaving him feeling somewhat jet-lagged. His upcoming semi-final against Karen Khachanov will mark his first daytime match of the tournament, as the previous matches have typically concluded past 1 AM.

In contrast, Khachanov has had a more favorable schedule, with his quarter-final finishing around 7 PM, giving him ample time to rest. Shelton, on the other hand, faced a grueling battle against Carlos Alcaraz that ended at 3:34 AM, which could impact his performance against Frances Tiafoe, who also enjoyed a more reasonable match time.

Experts, including former coach Matt Little, emphasize the significant advantage that players with earlier matches have, as they can benefit from a full night’s sleep. The physical toll of late matches can linger, affecting players' performance in subsequent games. Little highlighted the importance of nutrition and hydration in recovery, especially for Shelton as he prepares for his next challenge.