The German fought back from a two sets to love deficit, eventually overcoming his Spanish opponent in five grueling sets. His mental strength was on display, as he took charge and minimized his errors to reach his maiden Major final.

"I'm through to my first Grand Slam final and that's all that matters," Zverev said on court after his triumph. "I knew I had to play better. I'd never come back from two sets to love. That was the first time in my career. But I'm happy to do it at this stage, in the semi-final of a Grand Slam. I couldn't be happier, but there's still one more step to go for me."

This is the first time since 2011 when Novak Djokovic pulled off the same feat against Roger Federer, that a player has rallied from two sets to love down in the US Open semifinals. The Serbian would go on to claim his first title at Flushing Meadows, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final.

"I was looking at the scoreboard when I was down two sets to love. I was like, 'I cannot believe it. I'm playing in a semi-final where I'm supposed to be the favourite and I'm down two sets to love and I have no chance, I'm playing that bad,'" Zverev said. "I knew that I had to come up with better tennis. I knew I had to be more stable."

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