The narrative at Flushing Meadows this year has shifted dramatically, with American hopefuls Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe fighting for a chance to become the first U.S. men’s Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick lifted the US Open trophy in 2003.
As the tournament moves into its semi‑final phase, both players have produced memorable performances that have energized the home crowd and revived hopes of ending a two‑decade‑long drought. Shelton’s path to the semi‑finals has been anything but ordinary. In an early‑morning showdown on Wednesday, he faced defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in what turned out to be the latest‑finishing match in US Open history. The grueling contest stretched deep into the night, testing both athletes’ stamina and resolve.
Shelton emerged victorious, sending the Spaniard packing and securing his third major semi‑final appearance – after reaching the final four at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. Reflecting on the marathon, Shelton described the encounter as “a war” and called it “the most enjoyable match of my career.” The semi‑finals are slated for Friday, 11 September, with two marquee matches scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The first, kicking off at 3 p.m. local time (8 p.m.
in the UK), will see Germany’s Alexander Zverev take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov. The second, a later‑night affair at 7 p.m. (midnight UK), will feature the American duel between Shelton and Tiafoe.
Tiafoe’s own journey has been a tale of resilience. After dropping the first two sets and a break against fellow American Alex Michelsen, he mounted a dramatic comeback to claim the match and book his third US Open semi‑final berth.
The New York crowd remembers Tiafoe for several iconic moments – most notably his stunning victory over Rafael Nadal on the way to the 2022 semi‑final and his blockbuster win against Shelton two years earlier. Yet Tiafoe insists he is a different player now. “Those two runs to the semi‑finals were great, something I will cherish forever, but I’m not the same person I was in 2022 or 2024,” he said. “I’m excited to see what this new me can do.” His renewed confidence stems from a significant lifestyle overhaul undertaken toward the end of last year.
Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport praised the transformation, noting that Tiafoe has re‑oriented his entire life around tennis.
“It’s not easy to make such a change, but he’s shifted everything to focus on the sport,” she remarked. “Watching him fight back from two sets down shows a determination we didn’t always see before.” Should Tiafoe prevail over Shelton, he would achieve a historic milestone: becoming the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe’s triumph in 1972, and the first Black American male finalist at any major since MaliVai Washington’s appearance at Wimbledon in 1996.
On the other side of the draw, the men’s bracket has been reshaped by the early exits of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and the defending champion Alcaraz. In this altered landscape, Alexander Zverev has quietly advanced, displaying the poise of a seasoned champion. The German, now world No. 2 after winning his maiden Grand Slam at the French Open and reaching the Wimbledon final, has faced a relatively modest field so far.
His toughest opponent to date has been 21st‑seeded Italian Luciano Darderi, the highest‑ranked player he has met in this tournament. Zverev also dispatched world No.
70 Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, underscoring his readiness for the semi‑final clash with Khachanov. Zverev’s head‑to‑head record against his upcoming opponent is heavily in his favor.
He has beaten Karen Khachanov nine times, holding a 6‑3 advantage overall, and their most notable meeting came at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Zverev secured gold with a straight‑sets win. Their only Grand Slam encounter occurred at the 2018 French Open, where Zverev rallied from a set down to prevail in five.
With Khachanov seeking his first major final – after semi‑final appearances at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open – the German will be a formidable obstacle. Zverev himself acknowledged the psychological shift that comes with repeated deep runs in majors. “The more often you get to that stage, the more normal it becomes, which is something you should never take for granted,” he said. He admitted that confidence can be fleeting, recalling a dip in form after Wimbledon on the hard courts, but emphasized his satisfaction with his current trajectory and his desire to produce two strong matches in New York.
Meanwhile, the tournament’s broader context continues to evolve. Elena Rybakina’s recent victory over Coco Gauff has set up a highly anticipated final against Aryna Sabalenka, while the women’s semi‑finals will feature a showdown among the top‑seeded quartet, including Sabalenka and Gauff. The US Open’s day‑and‑night format, praised by chief Craig Tiley, is expected to remain in place for the 2027 edition, ensuring a vibrant schedule for fans worldwide. For viewers, the matches are being broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to follow the action without a contract.
The tournament’s accessibility has been highlighted, with recommendations to use Chrome for an optimal video experience. In summary, the US Open semi‑finals present a compelling blend of historic possibilities and personal redemption stories.
Whether Zverev’s experience translates into a smooth passage to the final, or whether the American pair of Shelton and Tiafoe can finally deliver a home‑grown champion, remains to be seen. What is certain is that New York’s tennis faithful are poised for an unforgettable climax to a tournament that has already delivered drama, resilience, and the promise of new chapters in the sport’s storied history.