Ben Shelton delivered a thrilling performance on Friday night at the US Open, overcoming his fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a high‑octane semi‑final to earn a place in the championship match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev. The match unfolded against a backdrop of solemn remembrance, as the tournament opened its evening with tributes marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Shelton, who fell behind early, rallied from a set down to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving a step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for U.S.
men in Grand Slam singles. The last American male to claim a major title at Flushing Meadows was Andy Roddick in 2003, and Shelton now has the opportunity to become the next champion. In addition to his historic run, Shelton made a cultural mark: he is the first Black American to reach the US Open men’s final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972.
Earlier in the day, Zverev secured his own final berth by defeating fellow German Karen Khachanov 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), putting him one win away from a second Grand Slam crown. When asked about his mindset, 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." His words blended personal motivation with a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the attacks. The semi‑final itself was a roller‑coaster. Tiafoe surged ahead 5‑4 in the opening set after Shelton double‑faulted, then held serve to close out the set 6‑4. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to target Shelton’s backhand, but Shelton’s own serve began to turn the tide.
At 2‑1, Shelton believed he had unleashed the fastest serve ever recorded at a Grand Slam – a 158 mph missile. Subsequent review by Hawk‑Eye and the USTA clarified that the speed was actually 144 mph, still an impressive figure.
When the balls were changed at 3‑3, Shelton’s serving arsenal intensified. He opened the new balls with a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafoe to raise his racket in a defensive reflex, nearly knocking the American back onto the court. He followed that with serves measured at 144, 139 and 140 mph, using the added pace to level the playing field. Shelton broke Tiafoe in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he never relinquished.
The fourth set turned into a battle of endurance and power. Shelton’s left‑handed serve, already booming, became virtually unreturnable, while his defensive play remained rock‑solid. The eighth seed applied relentless pressure, eventually sealing the match with an emotional finish. Over the course of the four‑set victory, the 23‑year‑old fired 47 winners, including a remarkable 20 aces, cementing his place in the final.
Statistically, Shelton’s serving numbers placed him among the elite. While Andy Roddick still holds the US Open record for the fastest serve at 152 mph (set in 2002), and Sam Groth’s Challenger‑level record stands at 163.6 mph, Shelton’s 144 mph serve demonstrated that he can challenge the very best on the biggest stage. Turning to Zverev, the French Open champion had already endured grueling five‑set battles in his first two rounds but then cruised through the next four matches without dropping a set, propelling him to his third consecutive major final. This appearance marks his second title decider at Flushing Meadows; he was runner‑up in 2020 after losing to Dominic Thiem.
Zverev reflected on his journey, recalling a moment after his second‑round win: "After the second round at 3 am, my team and I were in the dressing 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." His candid admission highlighted the mental resilience required to navigate the night‑time schedule that has defined his tournament run, with matches often stretching into the early hours. The German’s path was eased in part by the absence of Jannik Sinner and early defeats of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, coupled with a relatively favorable draw.
Yet Zverev emphasized that his success still required consistent execution. In his semi‑final against Khachanov, a solitary break was enough to clinch the first set. After a double fault gave Khachanov a brief reprieve, Zverev entered a tense tiebreak, trailing 5‑3 before winning a marathon 35‑shot rally to take the set. The third set mirrored the drama, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only for Zverev to rescue the match with two errant forehands and a decisive ace, sealing the match point on his first opportunity.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, Zverev expressed enthusiasm for a packed 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." His confidence was echoed by tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who praised Zverev’s season: "What a year Zverev has had at the majors. It’s been outstanding stuff. No asterisks – he still had to get through even as a favourite.
The confidence he’s built has translated into better tennis, and he hasn’t lost a set in his last four matches." The stage is now set for a compelling showdown: a young, powerful American who has broken barriers and a seasoned German who has turned a rocky start into a series of dominant performances. Both players have spoken about the significance of the moment – Shelton for his country and his place in history, Zverev for the redemption and validation of his hard‑earned resurgence. Fans can catch the final live on Sky Sports starting August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The tournament also coincides with the Laver Cup at The O2 in London, scheduled for 25‑27 September, offering tennis enthusiasts a packed calendar of elite competition.