Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are pressing on with a shared ambition: to become the first American man to capture a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003. As the US Open moves into its semi‑final round, both players have carved out compelling storylines that have captured the imagination of the New York crowd.
Shelton’s run this year has been nothing short of dramatic. In the early hours of Wednesday, he faced the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in what turned out to be the latest‑finishing match in the tournament’s modern history.
The German‑born Spaniard, who entered the match as the favorite, was eventually forced out after a grueling battle that tested both men’s stamina and resolve. Shelton’s victory propelled him into his third major semi‑final, adding to his previous deep runs at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. "That was a war," Shelton reflected afterward. "It’s probably the most enjoyable match I’ve ever played in my career." The semi‑finals are slated for Friday, September 11, with two marquee matchups scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The first will see Germany’s Alexander Zverev take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov, a contest that will not begin until after 3 p.m. local time (8 p.m. in the United Kingdom).
The second semi‑final, kicking off at 7 p.m. local time (midnight UK), will feature the all‑American showdown between Shelton and Tiafoe. Tiafoe’s path to the penultimate round was equally thrilling. After dropping the first two sets and a break, he rallied to defeat compatriot Alex Michelsen, securing his third US Open semi‑final appearance in a match that showcased his fighting spirit.
The American has already gifted New York fans with several unforgettable moments: a stunning upset over Rafael Nadal on his way to the 2022 semi‑final and a blockbuster victory over Shelton two years earlier. Yet Tiafoe is determined to write a new chapter this time around. "I’m a different person now," he said. "Those two semi‑final runs were amazing and I’ll always cherish them, but I’m not the same player I was in 2022 or 2024.
I’m excited to see what this new me can do." He added, "I have higher expectations for myself. The tournament is still alive, there are many more sets to be played, and a lot more physical work ahead.
We’ll enjoy it, but we have to keep pushing." The broader US Open narrative also includes questions about the women’s draw. Will Aryna Sabalenka chase a third consecutive title, or will the world‑number‑one Elena Rybakina finally capture her maiden Grand Slam in New York? Meanwhile, the men’s side continues to generate headlines, from Zverev’s potential "three‑peat" to the scheduling details for the final day of the 2026 season.
Tiafoe’s resurgence has been fueled by a significant lifestyle overhaul and a revamped fitness regimen that he adopted toward the end of the previous year. Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport praised his transformation, noting, "You hear about his struggles last fall and the dark place he was in.
He decided to turn his life around and give it his best shot. It’s not easy for anyone to make that kind of change, but he has re‑oriented his entire existence around tennis. Watching him fight back from two sets down, something the old Frances might not have done, shows his determination.
He’s not going anywhere." If Tiafoe triumphs over Shelton, he would become the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe’s historic appearance in 1972, and the first Black American male to contest any major final since MaliVai Washington’s run at Wimbledon in 1996. This milestone adds an extra layer of significance to an already high‑stakes match. On the other half of the draw, Alexander Zverev has been quietly advancing despite the absence of several top contenders. Jannik Sinner is missing, and both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have been eliminated earlier than expected, leaving Zverev as one of the most experienced players left in the field.
His most challenging opponent to date has been the 21st‑seeded Italian Luciano Darderi, the highest‑ranked player he has faced in this tournament. Zverev also dispatched world No.
70 Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets, reinforcing his status as a favorite. The German, now 29, is slated to meet the unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the opening semi‑final.
Zverev holds a perfect 5‑0 record against Shelton and has lost only once in ten meetings with Tiafoe, underscoring his dominance over his American rivals. After clinching his first Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year and reaching the Wimbledon final, Zverev feels increasingly comfortable in the later stages of major tournaments. He commented, "The more often you reach this stage, the more normal it feels, and you should never take that for granted.
Confidence is crucial, but it can vanish in an instant. I learned that after Wimbledon when I struggled on the hard courts, but I’ve found my rhythm again here. I’m happy with how things are going and hope to play two solid matches moving forward." Khachanov, meanwhile, is hunting his first Grand Slam final. He previously reached the US Open semi‑final in 2022 and the Australian Open semi‑final in 2023, but has not yet broken through to a final.
This year marks his first appearance as an unseeded player in a major since 2018, following a season that saw him achieve at least the third round in all four Grand Slams for the first time. However, his overall performance in other tournaments has been inconsistent, with early exits in the opening rounds of the three hard‑court events leading up to New York. The rivalry between Zverev and Khachanov dates back to the 1990s generation, with the German holding a 6‑3 edge over the Russian across nine encounters.
Their most memorable clash occurred at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics final, where Zverev secured gold with a straight‑sets victory. Their sole Grand Slam meeting prior to this US Open took place at the 2018 French Open, where Zverev rallied from a set down to win in five. For fans wanting to follow the action, the US Open is broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30 onward. Viewers can also stream matches without a contract via NOW or the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be available live from The O2 in London later in September.
Overall, the semi‑finals promise a blend of historic stakes, personal redemption stories, and the ever‑present quest for a first Grand Slam title. Whether Zverev will find his victory routine a formality or whether an American hopeful like Shelton or Tiafoe can break a decades‑long drought remains to be seen, but the excitement in New York is palpable, and the matches ahead are set to deliver drama, skill, and perhaps a new chapter in tennis history.