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 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 to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, moving one step closer to ending a 23‑year drought for a U.S. man to claim a Grand Slam singles title. Since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003, no American male has captured a major singles crown.
Shelton now has the chance to become the first in that span, and he also makes history as the first Black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972. Earlier in the day, Zverev secured his spot with a straight‑sets win, 6‑3, 7‑6 (9‑7), 7‑6 (8‑6), over compatriot Karen Khachanov, propelling him toward a potential second Grand Slam title. 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 words resonated with the commemorative atmosphere of the night. 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 take the first set 6‑4.
In the second set, Tiafoe continued to attack Shelton's backhand, but Shelton responded with a serve he initially believed was a Grand Slam record‑breaker at 158 mph. Subsequent Hawk‑Eye analysis, however, corrected the speed to 144 mph.
Undeterred, Shelton raised the intensity, delivering a 125 mph serve at 3‑3 that forced Tiafoe into a defensive swing, followed by a series of serves in the 139‑144 mph range. Shelton broke in the fifth game of the third set, establishing a commanding lead that he would never relinquish. His left‑handed power serve and rock‑solid defense proved decisive in the high‑energy fourth set, where he applied relentless pressure and eventually closed out the match. The 23‑year‑old finished with an impressive tally of 47 winners, including 20 aces, cementing his place in the title showdown.
Historical context adds depth to Shelton's achievement. The fastest serve ever recorded at the US Open belongs to Andy Roddick, who hit 152 mph in 2002, while the all‑time record for any professional event is Sam Groth's 163.6 mph in a Challenger tournament. Shelton's serving speeds, regularly topping 140 mph, place him among the sport's most powerful hitters and underscore his potential to challenge the sport's elite.
On the other side of the draw, Zverev's path to the final has been equally compelling. After being pushed to five sets in each of his first two rounds, the German has won his last four matches in straight sets, showcasing a resurgence that has taken him to his third consecutive major final. He previously fell short in the 2020 US Open, losing to Dominic Thiem, but his recent form suggests he is ready to rewrite that narrative. Zverev reflected on his journey, noting the humor that helped him survive a rough start: "After the second round at 3 a.m., my team and I were actually laughing about 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." He also commented on the unique conditions of his matches, all of which were played during night sessions, creating a perpetual cycle of darkness and midnight finishes.
The German's success has been aided by the absence of several top rivals—Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic—all of whom exited earlier, providing Zverev with a more navigable draw. Yet he remains humble about his achievement: "I really started off the tournament, thinking it was pointless because I wasn't going to do anything here, and now I'm sitting and preparing for a Sunday final," he told reporters.
In his semi‑final against Khachanov, Zverev needed only a single break to clinch the opening set. A second break early in the second set set the tone for a routine afternoon, but a double fault from Zverev allowed Khachanov back on serve, leading to a tense tie‑break where Zverev trailed 5‑3 before winning after a grueling 35‑shot rally.
The third set mirrored the second, with Khachanov holding set points at 6‑4, only for Zverev to produce two errant forehands and a decisive ace, sealing the match point on his first opportunity. Looking ahead to Sunday, Zverev expressed enthusiasm for playing in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium rather than an empty 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." Former tennis great 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.
Sure, 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 him 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 historic showdown on Sunday. Shelton, the eighth seed, will be looking to fulfill the hopes of a nation still yearning for a homegrown champion, while Zverev aims to add a second Grand Slam title to his résumé.
Both players have demonstrated resilience, power, and poise under pressure, promising a final that could be remembered for years to come. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, ensuring fans worldwide can witness what may become a defining moment in US Open history.