Ben Shelton surged past fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling semi‑final at the US Open on Friday, earning the right to face Alexander Zverev for the championship. The match unfolded on a night that was tinged with solemn remembrance, as the tournament opened with tributes marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Shelton, who dropped the opening set, rallied to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving a step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for an American man to capture a Grand Slam singles title. The last U.S.
male champion at Flushing Meadows was Andy Roddick, who lifted the trophy in 2003. Shelton now has a genuine chance to become the first American man to win a major since then, and he also makes history as the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972. On the opposite side of the draw, Alexander Zverev secured his place in the final with a straight‑sets win over Karen Khachanov, 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6). The German’s victory brings him within striking distance of a second Grand Slam crown after a series of grueling five‑set battles in the early rounds gave way to four consecutive straight‑set wins.
Shelton’s post‑match comments captured the emotional weight of the evening. “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 semi‑final began with Tiafoe taking an early lead, breaking Shelton’s serve at 5‑4 after a double fault from the American. Tiafoe then held serve to claim the first set.
In the second set, Shelton shifted tactics, repeatedly targeting Tiafoe’s backhand. Midway through the set, Shelton believed he had unleashed a 158 mph serve – potentially the fastest in Grand Slam history – but a review by Hawk‑Eye and the USTA later corrected the speed to 144 mph. With fresh balls at 3‑3, Shelton’s serving arsenal came alive.
He opened the game with a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafoe into a defensive scramble, followed by a series of serves clocking at 144, 139 and 140 mph, raising the intensity and leveling the match. Shelton broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he would never relinquish. The fourth set turned into a showcase of Shelton’s powerful left‑handed serve and relentless defense. The eighth seed applied relentless pressure, eventually sealing the emotional victory.
Over the course of the match, the 23‑year‑old amassed 47 winners, including 20 aces, underscoring his aggressive style and cementing his spot in the title match. Historical context adds further intrigue. Andy Roddick’s 152 mph serve in 2002 still stands as the fastest recorded at the US Open, while Sam Groth holds the overall record with a 163.6 mph serve in a Challenger event.
Shelton’s serving speeds, though impressive, sit comfortably below those benchmarks, yet his consistency and ability to mix power with placement proved decisive. Zverev’s path to the final has been equally compelling. After surviving five‑set battles in his first two rounds, the German has not dropped a set in his last four matches, earning a place in his third consecutive major final. He previously finished runner‑up at Flushing Meadows in 2020, falling to Dominic Thiem.
Reflecting on his own journey, Zverev admitted that after a grueling second‑round match that ended at 3 a.m., he and his team were able to laugh at his sub‑par performance, a sense of humor that helped him reset mentally. “I have improved a little bit, otherwise I wouldn’t be in the US Open final,” he said on court. All of Zverev’s matches this tournament have been played under the lights, creating a nocturnal rhythm that seems to suit his game. The 29‑year‑old benefitted from the early exits of Jannik Sinner, as well as defeats suffered by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, and a relatively favorable draw, propelling him to his third straight Grand Slam final.
In his semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev needed only a single break to clinch the first set. A double fault from Khachanov gave Zverev a chance to break again early in the second set, setting up a seemingly routine victory. However, Khachanov fought back, forcing a tiebreak where Zverev trailed 5‑3 before winning a marathon 35‑shot rally to take the set.
The third set mirrored this drama, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only for Zverev to recover with two errant forehands and a decisive ace, ultimately sealing the match. Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, Zverev expressed enthusiasm rather than apprehension about playing before a partisan crowd. “I think it’s going to be a fantastic feeling playing a final in a sold‑out Arthur Ashe stadium, not an empty one.
For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they’re fair,” he explained. Former champion Martina Navratilova, speaking for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Zverev’s season. “What a year Zverev has had at the majors. It’s been outstanding stuff.
Yes, 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. 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 US Open will continue its live coverage on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports App. Tennis fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also broadcast on Sky Sports.