Ben Shelton delivered a thrilling performance on Friday, overcoming fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a high‑octane US Open semi‑final to earn a place in the championship match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. The encounter unfolded on a night tinged with solemn remembrance, as the tournament opened with tributes to 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, bringing the United States one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought without a male Grand Slam singles champion. The last American man to lift a Grand Slam trophy was Andy Roddick, who captured the US Open title in 2003, and Shelton now stands poised to become the first Black American to reach the final at Flushing Meadows since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
Zverev, the 29‑year‑old German, secured his spot in the final earlier in the day with a straight‑sets victory over compatriot Karen Khachanov, posting a scoreline of 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6). The win moved him within striking distance of a second Grand Slam crown after a runner‑up finish in the 2020 US Open. Both finalists will now prepare for a Sunday showdown that promises to be a historic moment for American tennis and a showcase of Zverev's growing consistency on the biggest stages.
After the match, an emotional Shelton addressed the crowd, saying, "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 reflected both personal ambition and a broader sense of national pride, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
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 clinch the first set. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to probe Shelton's backhand, but Shelton responded with a serve he initially believed to be a record‑breaking 158 mph. Subsequent Hawk‑Eye analysis by the USTA corrected the speed to 144 mph, still an impressive figure.
With fresh balls at 3‑3, Shelton unleashed a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafoe into a defensive posture, followed by a series of serves measured at 144, 139 and 140 mph. The power and precision of his left‑handed serve, combined with rock‑solid baseline defense, allowed him to break in the fifth game of the third set and take a commanding lead.
Shelton's fourth set was a masterclass in endurance and mental fortitude. He kept the pressure on, using his booming left‑handed serve to dictate points while his defensive skills neutralized Tiafoe's aggressive play. The 23‑year‑old finished the match with 47 winners, including 20 aces, a statistic that highlights the potency of his service game.
For context, the US Open's all‑time serve speed record, set by Andy Roddick in 2002, stands at 152 mph, while the fastest serve ever recorded in any professional event belongs to Sam Groth at 163.6 mph in a Challenger tournament. Zverev's path to the final was equally compelling.
After a grueling first two rounds that both stretched to five sets, the German found his rhythm, winning his next four matches without dropping a set. His semi‑final against Khachanov was a tactical battle: Zverev secured an early break to take the first set, but a double fault from Khachanov gave the Russian a lifeline, leading to a tightly contested tie‑break.
Zverev eventually prevailed after a 35‑shot rally that tested his stamina and shot‑making. The German also faced a crucial moment in the third set when Khachanov held set points at 6‑4. Zverev's resilience shone through as two errant forehands from Khachanov and a decisive ace gave Zverev match point, which he converted on his first opportunity. Reflecting on his performance, Zverev admitted that his early rounds were rocky, saying, "After the second round at 3 am, me and my team 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." Both players have navigated unique challenges en route to Flushing Meadows' final court.
Shelton, a rising star with a powerful left‑handed serve, has become the first Black American finalist since Arthur Ashe, adding a layer of historical significance to his quest. Zverev, meanwhile, has capitalised on the absence of top competitors like Jannik Sinner and has benefited from a favorable draw, yet his consistency across three consecutive Grand Slam finals underscores his elite status.
Looking ahead, Shelton expressed enthusiasm for a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, noting, "I think it's going to be a fantastic feeling playing, you know, 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 reflects a broader narrative of American tennis hoping to revive its legacy on home soil. Commentators have praised Zverev's form, with former champion Martina Navratilova remarking, "What a year Zverev has had at the majors. It's been outstanding stuff.
Okay, 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. And that has given the 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 the last four matches." The stage is set for a compelling final on Sunday, a match that could rewrite American tennis history if Shelton claims the title, or cement Zverev's ascent as a multiple‑Grand Slam champion.
Regardless of the outcome, the encounter promises high‑quality tennis, a passionate crowd, and a momentous chapter in the sport's narrative. The US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app, ensuring fans worldwide can witness this historic showdown.