Ben Shelton faces Alexander Zverev in US Open men's final, eyeing historic American win
Eighth‑seed Ben Shelton reached the US Open men's final after a four‑set semifinal win over Frances Tiafoe, rallying from a set down to win 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5 and delivering 20 aces. Earlier in the tournament he upset defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. He will meet top‑seed Alexander Zverev, a 29‑year‑old French Open champion who recently lost to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
A victory would end a 23‑year drought for American men since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open win and would make Shelton the first Black champion at the tournament since Arthur Ashe. Shelton said the semifinal win was dedicated to his late grandmother.
Why it matters
The match could end a 23‑year US men’s Grand Slam title drought and produce the first Black US Open champion since Arthur Ashe.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Ben Shelton reaches US Open final, eyes first American men’s Grand Slam since 2003
- Sep 12 Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe to clinch his spot in the US Open final.
- Sep 12 Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 5-7 6-2 to claim her first US Open title and become the world number one.
- Sep 13 Rybakina earned a record $5.5 million prize for the victory.
- Sep 13 Shelton dedicated his semifinal victory to his late grandmother.
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