Ben Shelton secured a dramatic victory over fellow American Frances Tiafae in the US Open semi‑final on Friday, earning the right to face Germany's Alexander Zverev for the championship. The match took place on a solemn evening that also marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and Shelton rallied from a set down to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5.
His triumph brings the United States one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought without a male Grand Slam singles champion; the last American man to lift a major title was Andy Roddick at Flushing Meadows in 2003. Shelton’s run is historic in another way: he becomes the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972. Earlier in the day, Zverev booked his place in the final with a straight‑sets win over Karen Khachanov, 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), moving him within reach of a second Grand Slam crown. After the match, an emotional Shelton addressed the crowd: "First, 'Foe' is like a big brother to me.
This is where we want to be, at the tail end of this tournament. I know what my goal is, what my job is. I'm going for it here.
Let's do this for the USA! One more thing – it's a difficult day to be out here playing. My thoughts and prayers go to all the families who were impacted by 9/11." The semi‑final itself was a roller‑coaster.
Tiafae surged ahead 5‑4 after Shelton double‑faulted, then held serve to take the opening set. In the second set, Tiafae continued to target Shelton's backhand, but at 2‑1 Shelton believed he had unleashed the fastest serve ever recorded at a Grand Slam, clocking a blistering 158 mph. Subsequent review by Hawk‑Eye and the USTA corrected the figure to 144 mph, still an impressive speed. When the balls were changed at 3‑3, Shelton responded with a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafae into a defensive posture, followed by a series of serves measured at 144, 139 and 140 mph.
The increased intensity paid off; Shelton broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead. His left‑handed serve, booming and precise, combined with rock‑solid defense, allowed the eighth seed to apply relentless pressure throughout the high‑octane fourth set, eventually sealing an emotional win.
The 23‑year‑old finished the match with 47 winners and 20 aces, cementing his place in the title match. His performance also sparked conversation about serve speed records.
While Andy Roddick holds the US Open record at 152 mph set in 2002, the all‑time fastest serve belongs to Sam Groth, who recorded 163.6 mph in a Challenger event. Zverev's path to the final has been equally compelling. After being pushed to five sets in each of his first two rounds, the German has won his last four matches without dropping a set, earning his third consecutive major final appearance. He previously finished runner‑up at the US Open in 2020, losing to Dominic Thiem.
Reflecting on his own journey, Zverev laughed about a rough second‑round performance: "After the second round at 3 am, my team and I were in the dressing room actually laughing at how bad I was playing. That sense of humour helped me. I have improved a little bit, otherwise I wouldn't be in the US Open final." All of Zverev's matches have been played under the lights, often finishing in the early hours, creating a perpetual night‑time atmosphere. The 29‑year‑old has benefited from the absence of Jannik Sinner and early exits by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, as well as a favorable draw, to reach yet another Grand Slam final.
Speaking to reporters, Zverev admitted that early doubts had crept in: "I really started off the tournament, and I was like, 'Well, this is pointless because I'm not going to do anything here,' and here I am sitting and preparing for a Sunday final." He added that a single break was enough to clinch the tight first set against Khachanov, and a second break early in the second set set the tone for a routine afternoon. A double fault by Khachanov briefly threatened to shift momentum, sending Zverev into a tense tie‑break where he trailed 5‑3 before prevailing after a grueling 35‑shot rally. The third set mirrored the second, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only to see Zverev rescue the match with two errant forehands from his opponent and a decisive ace that gave him match point, which he converted on the first try. Looking ahead to Sunday, Zverev expressed excitement rather than apprehension about playing before a partisan crowd: "I think it's going to be a fantastic feeling playing, you know, a final in a sold‑out Arthur Ashe and not in an empty one.
For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they're fair." Former tennis great Martina Navratilova, commenting for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Zverev's season: "What a year Zverev has had at the majors. It's been outstanding stuff.
Okay, Sinner lost early at the French Open and Alcaraz didn't play, but there are no asterisks; he still had to get through even as a favourite. And that has given the confidence to play better tennis after that. I think he played better at Wimbledon than he did at Roland Garros, and now he started off badly here by his own admission, but he hasn't lost a set the last four matches." The US Open will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at the O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.
In summary, the upcoming final pits a rising American star who has broken barriers and revived hopes for a home champion against a seasoned German contender who has demonstrated resilience and consistency throughout the tournament. Both players have expressed personal motivations—Shelton dedicating his effort to his country and to the memory of 9/11 victims, and Zverev embracing the challenge of a packed arena.
The stage is set for a compelling showdown that could determine whether the United States finally ends its 23‑year Grand Slam drought, while also solidifying Zverev's place among the sport's elite.