Ben Shelton secured his place in the US Open men’s singles final on Friday with a hard-fought victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe, setting up a championship match against Alexander Zverev. Shelton claimed the win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in what was described as an electric semifinal, moving one step closer to ending a 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles titles.
Earlier in the day, top-seeded Zverev advanced to his second major final in New York by overcoming unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6). The German winner of the French Open now stands just one victory away from his second major title, having previously finished as runner-up in 2020 to Dominic Thiem.
Shelton, the eighth seed and 23-year-old power server, enters the final aiming to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick’s triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2003. His path to the final included a notable quarterfinal win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Shelton’s achievement also marks a historic milestone, making him the first Black American man to reach the New York final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first at any Grand Slam since MaliVai Washington won Wimbledon in 1996.
The semifinal took place against the backdrop of the 25th anniversary commemorations for the September 11 attacks. Shelton acknowledged the somber occasion before delivering a key hold to take the opening set after Tiafoe had held a 5-4 lead.
“It’s a difficult day to be out here playing,” Shelton said. “My thoughts and prayers are going out to all the families who are impacted by 9/11.” He dedicated his performance to his late grandmother, noting that her influence was central to his father’s ability to play tennis and his own career. “Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her.”
Despite Tiafoe targeting Shelton’s backhand in the second set, Shelton increased his intensity to level the match and ultimately dominated the fourth set with his powerful left-handed serve and defensive resilience. He broke Tiafoe late in the decider after an unforced double fault to clinch his maiden major final berth.
“Frances is like a big brother to me,” Shelton said of his opponent. “Every time we get to take this court together… is super special. To be able to light it up in front of you guys is the best feeling there is.” Zverev, meanwhile, remains unbeaten in five-set matches since the opening rounds and seeks to close out the tournament in dominant fashion.
Elsewhere on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds, top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend captured the women’s doubles title, completing a team career Grand Slam with a 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 victory over American wildcards Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery.
Action resumes on Saturday when Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka defends her women’s singles crown against incoming world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
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