Shelton Sets Up Zverev Duel in US Open Final, Declares ‘Let’s Do This for the USA’

Ben Shelton overcame his fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling semifinal at the US Open on Friday, earning a place in the championship match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. The evening was charged with emotion, beginning with tributes marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Shelton rallied from a set down, defeating Tiafoe 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, and moved one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for a U.S. man to win a Grand Slam singles title. The last American male to lift a Grand Slam trophy was Andy Roddick at Flushing Meadows in 2003, and Shelton now has the opportunity to become the next champion. Shelton also made history by becoming 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 final berth by beating Karen Khachanov 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), bringing him within reach of a second major title. When asked about his performance, Shelton said, “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 match began with Tiafoe taking a 5‑4 lead after Shelton double‑faulted, then sealing the opening set with a strong service hold. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to target Shelton’s backhand.

At 2‑1, Shelton believed he had unleashed the fastest serve ever recorded at a Grand Slam, clocking it at 158 mph. Subsequent Hawk‑Eye and USTA analysis, however, corrected the speed to 144 mph.

When fresh balls were introduced at 3‑3, Shelton responded with a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafoe into a defensive swing, sending him stumbling backward. He followed that with serves measured at 144, 139 and 140 mph, raising the intensity and leveling the contest. Shelton broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he would never relinquish.

The eighth‑seeded, 23‑year‑old American’s left‑handed power serve and rock‑solid defence proved decisive in a high‑octane fourth set. He applied relentless pressure, eventually clinching the match in an emotional finish.

Shelton finished the encounter with 47 winners, including 20 aces, securing his place in the title match. Historical context adds depth to Shelton’s achievement.

Andy Roddick holds the US Open serve‑speed record of 152 mph set in 2002, while Sam Groth’s all‑time fastest serve of 163.6 mph came in a Challenger event. Shelton’s serve, though not record‑breaking, demonstrated the kind of firepower needed to challenge the sport’s elite.

Zverev’s path to the final was equally compelling. After being pushed to five sets in each of his first two rounds, the German champion then won four consecutive matches in straight sets, earning his third consecutive major final appearance.

He previously finished runner‑up at Flushing Meadows in 2020, losing to Dominic Thiem. Reflecting on his second‑round performance, Zverev laughed, “After the second round at 3 am, my team and I were in the locker 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 this tournament were scheduled for the night session, meaning he spent much of his time competing under lights and dealing with midnight finishes.

The 29‑year‑old benefitted from the absence of Jannik Sinner and early defeats of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, as well as a relatively favourable draw, to reach yet another Grand Slam final. He described his mindset before the final, “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.” In his semifinal against Khachanov, a single break was enough for Zverev to clinch a tight first set. He broke again early in the second set, seemingly setting up a routine win, but a double fault allowed Khachanov back on serve, pushing Zverev into a tense tiebreak. He trailed 5‑3 before winning the tiebreak after a marathon 35‑shot rally.

The third set followed a similar pattern, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only for Zverev to salvage the set with two errant forehands and an ace, eventually converting a match point on his first opportunity. Looking ahead, Zverev expressed excitement about playing in front of a full house, “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.

For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they’re fair.” Former champion Martina Navratilova praised Zverev’s recent form, stating, “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 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. The final promises a compelling showdown between a rising American star eager to end a decades‑long drought and a seasoned German champion seeking his second Grand Slam title.