Ben Shelton delivered a thrilling performance in the US Open semi‑final on Friday, overcoming his fellow American Frances Tiafoe to earn a place in the championship match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. The match unfolded on a night that was marked by solemn tributes to the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, adding an emotional backdrop to the high‑stakes tennis.
Shelton rallied from a set down, turning a 4-6 deficit into a 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory and moving one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for a U.S. man to capture a Grand Slam singles title. The last American male to win a major was Andy Roddick, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2003, and Shelton now has the chance to become the next champion. In addition to his historic run, Shelton made history as the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972.
His opponent, Alexander Zverev, secured his own final berth earlier in the day with a straight‑sets win over Karen Khachanov, posting scores of 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6). Zverev's victory moved him closer to a second Grand Slam title after his earlier success at the French Open. After the match, 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 remarks underscored both his personal determination and his respect for the day’s solemn significance.
The semi‑final itself was a roller‑coaster. Tiafoe surged ahead 5-4 in the first set after Shelton double‑faulted, then held serve to take the opening set 6-4. In the second set, Tiafoe continued to target Shelton's backhand, but Shelton responded with a serve he initially believed to be the fastest in Grand Slam history—a 158 mph bullet.
Subsequent review by Hawk‑Eye and the USTA corrected the speed to 144 mph, still an impressive figure. When fresh balls were introduced at 3‑3, Shelton unleashed a 125 mph serve that forced Tiafoe into a defensive posture, followed by serves clocking 144, 139 and 140 mph. The increased intensity helped Shelton break in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead.
His powerful left‑handed serve and rock‑solid defense proved decisive in the high‑octane fourth set, allowing the eighth‑seeded American to apply relentless pressure and close out the match. Shelton finished the encounter with 47 winners, including 20 aces, showcasing a blend of firepower and consistency that propelled him into the final.
His serve speed numbers placed him among the tournament's most formidable servers, though they fell short of the all‑time US Open record set by Andy Roddick in 2002 (152 mph) and the overall record held by Sam Groth (163.6 mph) from a Challenger event. Zverev, meanwhile, entered the final after a grueling path of five‑set battles in his first two rounds, but he had since won four consecutive matches without dropping a set. The German veteran, now 29, has benefited from the early exits of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, as well as a relatively favorable draw, to reach his third consecutive major final. He previously finished as runner‑up at the US Open in 2020, losing to Dominic Thiem.
Reflecting on his journey, Zverev admitted, "After the second round at 3 a.m., my team and I were actually laughing about how badly 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 also noted the unique challenge of playing his earlier matches in night sessions, describing a “perpetual loop of darkness and midnight finishes.” In his semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev secured a solitary break to clinch the first set, then broke again early in the second to set up a routine afternoon.
However, a double fault gave Khachanov back his serve, leading to a tense tie‑break where Zverev trailed 5‑3 before rallying through a 35‑shot exchange to win. The third set mirrored the second, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only for Zverev to recover with two errant forehands and an ace that produced match point, which he converted on his first opportunity. Looking ahead to Sunday, Zverev expressed enthusiasm about playing in front of a full house at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, saying, "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." Former tennis great Martina Navratilova, speaking for Sky Sports Tennis, praised Zverev's season, noting, "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 US Open final promises a compelling narrative: a young, powerful American who could become the first U.S. man to win a Grand Slam in over two decades, versus an experienced German who is seeking redemption and his first US Open crown after multiple near‑misses. Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports starting August 30, or stream the action without a contract via NOW and the Sky Sports App.
The tournament also features the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also broadcast by Sky Sports.