Ben Shelton powered through a thrilling US Open semi‑final on Friday, edging out his fellow American Frances Tiafoe to earn a place in the championship match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. The encounter unfolded on a night that carried a solemn tone, as the tournament opened with tributes marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Shelton, who dropped the opening set, rallied to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving the United States one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought without a male singles Grand Slam champion. The last American man to claim a major title was Andy Roddick, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2003, and Shelton now stands on the brink of becoming the next. In addition to the historic implications, Shelton's run carries cultural significance: he is the first Black American to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972.
Earlier in the day, Zverev secured his own spot in the final by defeating fellow German Karen Khachanov 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), putting him one match away from a second Grand Slam crown. After the match, Shelton addressed the crowd, saying, "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." His words blended personal motivation with a respectful nod to the somber backdrop of the evening. The semi‑final itself was a roller‑coaster. Tiafoe surged ahead 5‑4 in the first set after Shelton double‑faulted, then held serve to claim the opening set. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to target Shelton's backhand, but Shelton responded with a serve he initially believed to have clocked at 158 mph – a speed that would have set a new Grand Slam record.
Subsequent review by Hawk‑Eye and the USTA corrected the figure to 144 mph, still an impressive velocity. With fresh balls at 3‑3, Shelton unleashed a 125 mph serve that left Tiafoe scrambling, followed by a series of serves measured at 144, 139 and 140 mph, raising the intensity of the contest.
He broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he would never relinquish. The fourth set saw Shelton's left‑handed power serve dominate, while his defensive skills proved nearly impenetrable. The eighth seed ultimately amassed 47 winners, including 20 aces, to seal an emotional victory and a ticket to the final.
Statistically, Shelton's serve ranks among the fastest ever recorded at Flushing Meadows. While Andy Roddick holds the US Open record at 152 mph (set in 2002) and Sam Groth holds the overall Challenger record at 163.6 mph, Shelton's performance sits comfortably within that elite tier, underscoring his reputation as a big‑serve specialist.
On the opposite side of the draw, Zverev's path to the final has been equally dramatic. After being pushed to five sets in each of his first two rounds, the German has won his last four matches in straight sets, showcasing a resurgence that has taken him to his third consecutive major final.
He previously finished runner‑up at the US Open in 2020, losing to Dominic Thiem. Zverev reflected on his journey, recalling a night after his second‑round match when he and his team were joking about his sub‑par play at 3 a.m.
in the locker room. "That sense of humour helped me," he said, adding that incremental improvements have been crucial to his current form. The German has benefited from a favorable draw, the absence of Jannik Sinner, and early exits by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, allowing him to capitalize on the opportunity.
During his semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev faced a series of tight moments. After an early break gave him a narrow first‑set lead, a double fault from Khachanov allowed the Russian back into the set, leading to a tense tie‑break that Zverev eventually won after a grueling 35‑shot rally. The second set mirrored the first, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4 before Zverev's two wayward forehands and a decisive ace produced a match point, which he converted on the first try.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Zverev expressed enthusiasm rather than anxiety about playing before a partisan crowd. "I think it's going to be a fantastic feeling playing a final in a sold‑out Arthur Ashe and not in an empty one," he told reporters.
"For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they're fair." Former champion Martina Navratilova, speaking for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Zverev's season, noting that despite early exits by other top players, he has faced no asterisks and earned his place through consistent performance. She highlighted his improvement from Wimbledon to Roland Garros and his recent streak of four straight sets won. The US Open final promises a compelling narrative: a young, power‑laden American seeking to end a two‑decade drought versus an experienced German aiming to add a second major title to his résumé. Both players have shown resilience, firepower, and a willingness to rise to the occasion.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app. Tennis fans worldwide can anticipate a high‑octane showdown that could reshape the landscape of men's tennis for years to come.