Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are still chasing the dream of becoming the first American men to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003. Their journeys have converged as the US Open moves into the semi‑final round, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown on New York’s hard courts. Shelton’s run this year has been nothing short of spectacular. In the early hours of Wednesday, he knocked out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon that became the latest‑finishing match in the tournament’s modern history.
The German‑American youngster survived a grueling three‑hour battle, securing his place in his third major semi‑final after previously reaching the final four at the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. "That was a war," Shelton said afterward, describing the encounter as the most enjoyable match of his career. The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, 11 September, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The first match will feature Alexander Zverev against Karen Khachanov, slated to start at 3 p.m.
local time (8 p.m. in the United Kingdom). The second semi‑final, featuring the American duo, will begin at 7 p.m.
local time (midnight in the UK). Tiafoe’s path to the last four has been equally compelling.
After dropping the first two sets and a break against fellow American Alex Michelsen, he rallied to win in five sets, marking his third appearance in a US Open semi‑final. The New Yorker has already given him a place in the hearts of the home crowd, thanks to memorable moments such as his stunning defeat of Rafael Nadal on the way to the 2022 semi‑final and his blockbuster victory over Shelton two years earlier. Speaking before his upcoming match, Tiafoe reflected on his personal growth: "I’m a different person now.
Those two runs to the semi‑finals were amazing and I’ll cherish them forever, 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 play and a lot of physical work ahead. We’ll enjoy it, but we have to keep pushing." Tiafoe’s resurgence is linked to a significant lifestyle overhaul and a rigorous fitness regime he adopted toward the end of last year.
Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport praised his dedication, noting, "He’s completely restructured his life around tennis. Watching him battle back from two sets down shows a level of determination that the old Frances might not have displayed. He’s fighting and he’s not going anywhere." If Tiafoe defeats Shelton, he will become the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and the first Black American male to appear in any major final since MaliVai Washington’s 1996 Wimbledon run.
Meanwhile, the men’s draw has been reshaped by the early exits of Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. In this altered landscape, Alexander Zverev has quietly advanced, displaying the poise of a seasoned champion.
His most challenging opponent to date in this tournament has been the 21st‑seeded Italian Luciano Darderi, the highest‑ranked player he has faced so far. Zverev dispatched world No. 70 Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets and is now favored to overcome unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov in the first semi‑final.
Zverev’s head‑to‑head record against Shelton is flawless—he has won all five of their meetings. Against Tiafoe, he holds a dominant 9‑1 advantage, having lost only once in ten encounters. After capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year and reaching the Wimbledon final, the world No. 2 appears comfortable in the latter stages of major events.
Zverev commented on his mindset: "The more often you reach this stage, the more normal it feels, but you must never take it for granted. Confidence is vital, yet it can disappear in an instant. I learned that after Wimbledon when my hard‑court form slipped, but I’ve found it again here.
I’m happy with how things are going and I hope to play two solid matches in New York." Khachanov, a 1990s‑era player like Zverev, is eager to claim his first Grand Slam final. He previously reached the US Open semi‑final in 2022 and the Australian Open semi‑final in 2023, but this will be his first appearance in a major final. Unseeded for the first time in a Grand Slam since 2018, Khachanov has shown consistency by reaching at least the third round of all four majors for the first time, though his results in other tournaments have been mixed, with early exits in the three hard‑court events leading up to New York.
The German and the Russian have met nine times on the tour, with Zverev holding a 6‑3 lead. Their most famous clash came at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Zverev won the gold medal in straight sets. Their only Grand Slam meeting before this US Open was at the 2018 French Open, where Zverev rallied from a set down to win in five. The US Open will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30 onward.
Fans can also stream matches without a contract via NOW or the Sky Sports app. In addition to the men’s final, the tournament will feature a range of other high‑profile events, including the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, also shown on Sky Sports. The combination of seasoned champions, rising American talent, and historic milestones makes this year’s US Open a compelling narrative for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.