Zverev wins a thrilling match against Carreño Busta in the US Open
Throughout his career, Zverev had never won a match after losing the first two sets, but tonight he achieved it, fighting as his coach, the Spanish David Ferrer, used to do.
He now awaits in the final, the first of his career in a Grand Slam, the winner of the next match between Austrian Dominic Thiem and Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Carreño, a semifinalist in this tournament in 2017, managed to dominate with a two-set advantage, but then his serve betrayed him and his right hip prevented him from finishing the match at his best.
If the Spanish player had won, he would have become the lowest-ranked player to reach the final of this Grand Slam since South African Kevin Anderson, who defeated him in the semifinals three years ago when Anderson was ranked 32nd in the world.
The first two sets were a spectacle by the Spaniard, who, supported by a great two-handed backhand and with great composure, shattered Zverev's illusions.
The German had reached the semifinals this year at the Australian Open, and this time, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer not in the final stages, he had the great opportunity of his life to join the ranks of the top favorites and finally end his reputation as a player unable to win a major.
But facing Carreño's confidence, the expression on Ferrer's protege reflected powerlessness, despair, and even unwillingness in those initial sets.
After losing the first two sets and committing 36 unforced errors in those two sets, compared to Carreño's 12, Zverev started a great comeback in the third set. With John McEnroe in the stands, Alexander managed to take the lead for the first time in the match, 3-1, and then 4-2, winning that set thanks to three breaks, and only making three unforced errors.
Despite losing his serve in the third game of the fourth set, Carreño did not give up. He broke back Zverev in the fourth game and started to dominate again, but it was just a mirage because the German, despite receiving two shots from Pablo at the net, took this set in the fourth opportunity.
"It was not my intention," Carreño said to the Serbian chair umpire Marijana Veljovic, who nodded, while "Sascha" muttered "it's enough already."
Injured in his left hip, Carreño received treatment on the court and when he returned, he no longer had the strength or consistency of the first two sets. Zverev had only made 15 unforced errors between the third and fourth sets, and with his serve, he was only giving away two or three points at most, and that was now making the difference.
A break in the first game of the final set by the German decided the contest. His forehand and backhand commanded with ease, while Carreño, who saved a match point before losing, saw his great opportunity slipping away.
At least, the Spanish player will leave New York in the 18th position in the world rankings, although with the bitter taste of having come so close to the final.