Ben Shelton clinched a dramatic victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semi‑final on Friday, earning the right to face Alexander Zverev in the championship match. The evening was tinged with solemnity, as the tournament opened with tributes marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Shelton, after dropping the first set, rallied to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving one 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 was Andy Roddick, who lifted the trophy in Flushing Meadows in 2003. Shelton now has the chance to become the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972, and potentially the first American man to win the tournament in more than two decades.
Earlier in the day, Zverev secured his spot in the final with a straight‑sets win over Karen Khachanov, 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), putting him on the verge of a second Grand Slam crown. The German’s path to the final has been marked by resilience, having survived five‑set battles in his first two rounds before stringing together four consecutive straight‑set victories to reach his third major final in a row.
He previously finished runner‑up at Flushing Meadows in 2020, losing to Dominic Thiem. After the match, an emotional Shelton addressed the crowd: "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 remarks reflected both the personal significance of the day and the weight of national expectation.
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 seal the first set. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to target Shelton’s backhand, but Shelton responded with a serve he initially believed to be a Grand Slam‑record 158 mph. Subsequent Hawk‑Eye analysis confirmed the speed was actually 144 mph.
Undeterred, Shelton increased the intensity, delivering a 125 mph serve at 3‑3 that forced Tiafoe into a defensive swing, followed by serves clocked at 144, 139 and 140 mph. He broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a decisive lead that he never relinquished.
Shelton’s left‑handed power serve and rock‑solid defense proved overwhelming in the high‑octane fourth set. The eighth seed piled pressure on Tiafoe, eventually sealing an emotional win. He finished the match with 47 winners and 20 aces, a testament to his aggressive style and composure under pressure. Historical context adds flavor to Shelton’s achievement.
Andy Roddick holds the US Open serve‑speed record at 152 mph, set in 2002, while Sam Groth’s all‑time fastest serve—163.6 mph—came in a Challenger event. Shelton’s serving numbers, while not record‑breaking, rank among the tournament’s most powerful displays in recent years. Zverev, meanwhile, reflected on his own journey. After a grueling night‑time schedule that saw him play all his matches under floodlights, he admitted to moments of doubt early in the tournament: "I was like, ‘Well, this is pointless because I’m not going to do anything here,’ and here I am preparing for a Sunday final." He credited a humorous outlook after a rough second‑round performance, noting that laughter helped him reset.
In the semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev needed only a single break to clinch the first set, then extended his lead early in the second. A brief double‑fault by Khachanov gave the Russian a lifeline, leading to a tense tie‑break that Zverev ultimately won after a marathon 35‑shot rally. The third set mirrored the second, with Khachanov holding set points before Zverev’s clutch ace secured match point.
Looking ahead, Zverev expressed enthusiasm for the final’s atmosphere: "I think it’s going to be a fantastic feeling playing a final in a sold‑out Arthur Ashe stadium, not an empty one. A loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they’re fair." Former tennis great Martina Navratilova praised Zverev’s season, noting his consistency across the majors despite the absence of rivals like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The upcoming US Open final promises a compelling narrative: a rising American star, driven by national pride and historic significance, versus an experienced German contender seeking redemption and his first major title. Both players have shown the ability to adapt, endure long rallies, and deliver under pressure. As the tournament approaches its climax, tennis fans worldwide will be watching to see whether Shelton can break the 23‑year American drought and write his name alongside legends like Ashe and Roddick, or whether Zverev will finally capture the Grand Slam crown that has eluded him thus far.