Ben Shelton reaches US Open final, eyes first American men’s Grand Slam since 2003
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe to secure a place in the US Open final against Alexander Zverev, becoming the first American man in a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick.
On a day marked by remembrance of the September 11 attacks, Ben Shelton edged out Frances Tiafoe in a four-set semifinal to earn a spot in the US Open final. Shelton, the tournament’s eighth seed, rallied after dropping the first set, ultimately winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 and expressing solidarity with families affected by the 9/11 tragedy. His opponent, Alexander Zverev, a top seed who has reached three consecutive major finals, will await him on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A win would make Shelton the first American man to claim a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory. The match followed Shelton’s earlier upset of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev, who recently defeated Karen Khachanov, has drawn attention for his frequent ball-bouncing routine, which drew a time-violation warning from officials.
Why it matters
Shelton’s run could end a 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam tennis.
How this story developed
- Sep 7 Carlos Alcaraz faces Ben Shelton in US Open quarterfinal showdown
- Sep 7 Twenty-one-year-old Blockx advanced to the US Open quarter-finals, defeating 24th seed Cerundolo in a four-set match despite rib pain.
- Sep 9 Shelton defeated Alcaraz in a five‑set quarterfinal.
- Sep 10 Blockx advanced to the US Open quarter‑finals.
In this story
Related stories
7 in this thread