The 23-year-old American won a tense four-set semifinal and will meet top seed Alexander Zverev for the men's singles title.
Ben Shelton has reached the first Grand Slam singles final of his career after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe at the US Open. Shelton won the semifinal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in New York. The match lasted more than three hours and gave fans a mix of powerful serving, long rallies, and strong emotions. The result sends Shelton into Sunday's final against Germany's Alexander Zverev, the tournament's top seed.
Tiafoe made the better start. He handled Shelton's speed and broke serve late in the first set. Shelton then made a double fault at a costly time, and Tiafoe took the set 6-4. For a young player in a major semifinal, losing the opening set could have created panic. Instead, Shelton slowed himself down, improved his return, and began to control more points with his serve and forehand.
Shelton broke early in the second set and protected the advantage. He won that set 6-3 and repeated the score in the third. His energy grew as the crowd reacted to every big serve and fast winner. Tiafoe continued to fight, but he found it harder to take time away from Shelton. The fourth set stayed close until Tiafoe served at 5-6. Shelton created three match points, and a final double fault ended the contest.
The two Americans showed respect after the match. Their friendship and shared history made the semifinal special. Both men have helped bring new energy to American tennis, and both have reached the later rounds in New York before. Shelton had lost his two earlier Grand Slam semifinals, while Tiafoe had also come close to a major final. This time, Shelton managed the pressure better in the most important moments.
The victory carries historic meaning. Shelton is the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He is also the first Black American man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996. These facts connect his success to important players from earlier generations. They may also encourage young people who do not often see players like themselves on the biggest tennis stages.
Shelton is now one win away from ending a long wait for American men's tennis. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, when he won the US Open in 2003. Since then, American women have continued to win major titles, but the men's trophy has remained out of reach. A Shelton victory would therefore be both a personal achievement and a major national sports story.
His next opponent presents a difficult challenge. Zverev reached the final by beating Karen Khachanov in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6. The German has more experience in major finals and has won all five of his previous matches against Shelton. His strong serve and steady play from the back of the court can make it difficult for an opponent to attack. Shelton will need to return well, stay patient, and avoid giving away easy points.
However, past results do not decide a new match. Shelton has improved during the 2026 season and has shown that he can recover when a match becomes difficult. His run in New York included a dramatic victory over Carlos Alcaraz, which proved that he can defeat a leading player on a large stage. The support of the home crowd may also help him during hard moments, although he must use that energy without becoming too excited.
The final offers a clear contrast. Zverev brings experience, control, and a strong record against Shelton. Shelton brings youth, speed, and one of the most powerful serves in tennis. Both are trying to win their first US Open title. Whatever the result, Shelton's semifinal victory has already made history and given American fans a reason to believe that the long wait for another men's major champion could soon end.
Sources: Reuters | US Open
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