{
  "id": 6499040,
  "title": "Khachanov reaches US Open semi-finals as Blockx retires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/khachanov-reaches-us-open-semi-finals-as-blockx-retires",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T23:37:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/10/khachanov-reaches-us-open-semi-finals-as-blockx-retires"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the US Open quarter-final on Wednesday, Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov advanced to the semi-finals after Belgian opponent Alexander Blockx retired due to injury with a 6-2, 7-5, 3-2 score. This marked Khachanov's third Grand Slam semi-final appearance, following his 2022 US Open and 2023 Australian Open victories. Currently ranked 50th in the world, Khachanov made history by being the first Belgian to reach the US Open quarter-finals. In their match, Khachanov faced a visibly struggling Blockx, who had been battling various injuries throughout the tournament. Khachanov noted that Blockx was suffering throughout his body, including a rib injury that led to his decision to retire from the match. Khachanov had previously defeated third-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and 14th-seeded American Learner Tien in his path to the quarter-finals. He will now face either top-seeded Alexander Zverev or Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp for the final spot.",
  "summary": "Ranked 50th in the world, Karen Khachanov will take on top seed Alexander Zverev or Botic van de Zandschulp for a place in the final.",
  "key_points": [
    "Khachanov advances to US Open semi-finals",
    "Blockx retires due to injury at quarter-final",
    "Khachanov becomes first Belgian to reach US Open quarter-finals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Khachanov back to US Open semi-finals with walkover",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/khachanov-back-to-us-open-semi-finals-with-walkover",
        "published": "2026-09-09T23:14:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Khachanov reaches US Open semi-finals as Blockx retires",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/khachanov-reaches-us-open-semi-finals-as-blockx-retires-6503300",
        "published": "2026-09-09T23:37:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Khachanov reaches US Open semifinals after Blockx’s body gives out and forces him to stop playing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/khachanov-reaches-us-open-semifinals-after-blockxs-body-gives-out-and",
        "published": "2026-09-10T00:05:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula rally to reach US Open semifinals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/sabalenka-jessica-pegula-rally-to-reach-us-open-semifinals",
        "published": "2026-09-10T01:01:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}