Ben Shelton clinched a dramatic victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semi‑final on Friday, earning a showdown with Germany’s Alexander Zverev for the championship. The match unfolded on a night marked by solemn tributes to the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, adding an emotional backdrop to an already high‑stakes encounter.
Shelton, who fell behind early, rallied from a set down to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for U.S. men in Grand Slam singles titles. The last American male to lift a Grand Slam trophy was Andy Roddick, who captured the US Open in 2003. Shelton’s run now puts him in position to become the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972, and he will be aiming for his maiden major crown.
Earlier in the day, Zverev secured his place in the final with a straight‑sets win over fellow Russian Karen Khachanov, posting a 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6) scoreline that brought him within striking distance of a second Grand Slam title. The German, seeded eighth, has navigated a challenging draw, benefitting from the early exits of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, and has now reached his third consecutive major final.
Shelton’s post‑match comments reflected both personal motivation and a broader sense of responsibility. “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,” he said, acknowledging the day’s commemorative significance. The semi‑final itself was a roller‑coaster. Tiafoe surged ahead 5‑4 after Shelton double‑faulted, then sealed the opening set with a confident hold.
In the second set, Tiafoe continued to press Shelton’s backhand, but Shelton’s serve began to turn the tide. At 2‑1, Shelton believed he had recorded the fastest serve in Grand Slam history at 158 mph, but subsequent Hawk‑Eye analysis confirmed a speed of 144 mph. Undeterred, he kept the pressure on, delivering a series of serves in the 125‑140 mph range, each one forcing Tiafoe into defensive positions. Shelton broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he would never relinquish.
His left‑handed power serve and rock‑solid defense proved decisive in the high‑intensity fourth set, where he held his nerve to close out the match. The 23‑year‑old finished the encounter with 47 winners, including 20 aces, a performance that underscored his growing reputation as a formidable serve‑and‑volley player. Statistically, Shelton’s serve was among the fastest ever recorded at Flushing Meadows.
While Andy Roddick still holds the US Open record at 152 mph (set in 2002), and Sam Groth’s Challenger‑level record stands at 163.6 mph, Shelton’s 144 mph service speed placed him firmly in elite company. His aggressive approach, combined with a willingness to attack Tiafoe’s backhand, allowed him to dictate play throughout the match. Zverev, meanwhile, reflected on his own journey to the final.
After a grueling night‑session schedule that saw him play multiple matches under the lights, the German said, “After the second round at 3 am, my team and I were 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.” He acknowledged the advantage of a relatively kinder draw, noting the absence of top‑ranked rivals, yet emphasized that he still had to win each match on merit. In his semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev needed only a single break to claim the first set, then extended his lead early in the second.
A brief lapse—a double fault—gave Khachanov a lifeline, leading to a tense tie‑break that Zverev eventually won after a marathon 35‑shot rally. The third set mirrored the second, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4 before Zverev’s clutch forehands and an ace secured the match point, which he converted on the first try.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, Zverev expressed excitement about playing in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, preferring a lively crowd to an empty arena. “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,” he told reporters. Former tennis great Martina Navratilova, speaking for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Zverev’s consistency over the season.
“What a year Zverev has had at the majors. It’s been outstanding stuff.
Sure, 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. That has given him 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 in the last four matches.” The stage is set for a compelling US Open final that pits the youthful, powerful American with a historic narrative against the seasoned German who has proven his resilience across three consecutive majors. Whether Shelton can fulfill his promise to “do this for the USA” or Zverev will add a second Grand Slam title to his résumé remains to be seen, but the anticipation among fans and commentators alike is palpable. The championship match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports beginning August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can witness the climax of this memorable tournament.