Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are still alive in the hunt to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003. As the US Open moves into the semi‑final round, both players have produced memorable performances that have reignited hopes for a home champion.
Shelton made headlines on Wednesday morning when he knocked out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in what turned out to be the latest‑finishing match in the tournament’s modern era. The German‑American youngster survived a marathon battle that stretched deep into the early hours, earning his third major semi‑final appearance after reaching the final four at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. "That was a war," Shelton said afterward, adding that it was "the most enjoyable match I've had in my career." His gritty win not only demonstrated his physical stamina but also highlighted his mental growth since his breakthrough run two years ago. The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, 11 September, with both contests set for Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The first match will feature Germany's Alexander Zverev against Russia’s Karen Khachanov, slated to begin around 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 see Shelton take on Tiafoe. Tiafoe’s path to the last four was equally dramatic. After falling two sets behind against fellow American Alex Michelsen, he rallied back, broke his opponent’s serve, and forced a decisive fifth set.
The comeback secured his third US Open semi‑final and added another chapter to his reputation as a crowd‑pleaser. New York fans have already given him several iconic moments: a stunning victory over Rafael Nadal on his way to the 2022 semi‑final, and a blockbuster win over Shelton in 2024. Yet Tiafoe insists he has turned a new page. "I’m a different person now," he explained.
"Those two semi‑final runs were wonderful 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 version of me can do." He also expressed higher personal expectations: "I have higher hopes for myself. The tournament is still on, there are many more sets to play and a lot of physical work to do.
We’ll enjoy it, but we have to keep pushing forward." This confidence reflects a broader resurgence in Tiafoe’s career, which he attributes to a major lifestyle overhaul and a revamped fitness regimen introduced late last year. Former world No.
1 Lindsay Davenport praised his transformation, noting that Tiafoe has restructured his entire life around tennis and now fights with a tenacity that the "old Frances" might not have shown. If Tiafoe advances past Shelton, he would become the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972, and the first Black American man to appear in any major final since MaliVai Washington’s 1996 Wimbledon run. That historic potential adds an extra layer of significance to the match for both players and the broader tennis community.
Meanwhile, the men’s draw has been reshaped by the early exits of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and even Alcaraz. In this altered landscape, Alexander Zverev has been quietly advancing.
The 29‑year‑old German, who captured his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year and subsequently reached the Wimbledon final, entered the semi‑final as the clear favorite. His path has included a straight‑sets victory over world No. 70 Botic van de Zandschulp and a win over 21st‑seeded Luciano Darderi, the highest‑ranked opponent he has faced in this tournament.
Zverev’s head‑to‑head record against his upcoming opponent, Karen Khachanov, is heavily in his favor. The two have met nine times, with Zverev leading 6‑3.
Their most notable clash came at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where Zverev won the gold medal in straight sets. Their only Grand Slam meeting occurred at the 2018 French Open, where Zverev recovered from a set down to claim a five‑set victory. Khachanov, a 1990s‑era player, is seeking his first major final after semi‑final appearances at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open.
Unseeded for the first time since 2018, he has nonetheless reached at least the third round at each of the four majors this year, though his results in other hard‑court events have been mixed. Zverev reflected on the mental aspect of reaching the latter stages of a Slam: "The more often you get to that stage, the more normal it becomes, which is something you should never take for granted. Confidence is crucial, but it can disappear 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 I hope to play two good matches." His calm confidence underscores why he is considered the favorite to win the title, especially after having beaten Shelton in all five of their career meetings and losing only once in ten encounters with Tiafoe. The US Open’s broadcast arrangements remain robust, with Sky Sports securing a three‑year extension to show the tournament through 2030.
Fans can also stream matches without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the event will be available on traditional television from August 30 onward. In addition to the men's final, which will feature Zverev against the winner of the Shelton‑Tiafoe match, the tournament offers a full slate of draws, schedules and results for the final Grand Slam of 2026. Overall, the semi‑finals promise high drama: a potential historic breakthrough for an American player and a chance for Zverev to cement his status as the world’s top tennis talent.
Whether the US Open will become a formality for Zverev or deliver a home‑grown champion remains to be seen, but the stakes and the stories are undeniably compelling.