Damir Zhalgasbay, partnering Safir Azam, has advanced to the semifinals of the boys' doubles at the junior US Open 2026. The Kazakh-American tandem won on a super tiebreak against Puerto Rican Yannick Alvarez and Ryan Kosad of the United States – 6:3, 6:7 (14:16), 10:6. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
How the match unfolded
Despite the impressive final score, the quarterfinalists spent just 1 hour 22 minutes on court. Their tennis was not rich in lengthy rallies.
In the first set, at 3:3, Zhalgasbay and Azam took three games in a row – 6:3. In the second, the opponents exchanged breaks twice and effectively played a double tiebreak. At the end of the 13th game, luck smiled on Alvarez and Kosad – 16:14.
Super tiebreak decides
The semifinalists were determined by a super tiebreak, which Damir and Safir are no strangers to winning. In the round of 16, they got the better of Japanese pair Hugh Kawanashi and Kanta Watanabe – 6:7 (6:8), 7:6 (7:4), 10:4. This time the Kazakh and the American allowed their opponents to take two more points – 10:6.
Next opponents
For a place in the final, Zhalgasbay and Azam will face Americans Tanishk Konduri and Marchel Latak.
At the start of the doubles tournament, Zhalgasbay and Azam beat the Thai-Indian duo Kunanan Pantaratorn/Arnav Paparkar – 6:4, 6:2.
Singles
In singles, Zhalgasbay put his racket away after his first match against American Jack Secord.
Rybakina continues
Elena Rybakina continues her run at the US Open 2026. The country's top seed, who will top the world tennis rankings on Monday, plays American Coco Gauff in the semifinals today.
About the tournament
The US Open tennis championship is an annual hard-court Grand Slam tournament. The last of the four majors in the calendar year. The total prize fund – $108 million – is a record for the majors.