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Ben Shelton has reached his first Grand Slam final after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in four sets, setting up a blockbuster U.S. Open title clash against top seed Alexander Zverev.
The No. 8 seed battled back after losing the opening set to beat Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling all-American semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory puts the 23-year-old Shelton one win away from his first major championship and a potential breakthrough moment for American men’s tennis.
Shelton Overcomes Tiafoe in Four Sets
Shelton made a difficult start to the semifinal as Tiafoe claimed the opening set 6-4.
The American left-hander responded strongly, however, raising his level from the baseline while using his powerful serve to put Tiafoe under increasing pressure.
Shelton took the next two sets 6-3, 6-3 before producing another composed performance in the fourth set. He eventually closed out the match 7-5 to secure his place in the U.S. Open final.
The victory was another demonstration of Shelton’s ability to recover from difficult situations, something he had already shown during his dramatic quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz.
Another Major Breakthrough for Ben Shelton
Shelton’s run to the U.S. Open final represents the biggest achievement of his career.
Earlier in the tournament, he defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an epic five-set quarterfinal that finished at 3:33 a.m., the latest conclusion in U.S. Open history. Shelton won that match 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7).
Against Tiafoe, Shelton once again demonstrated the physical and mental resilience required to win at the highest level.
His powerful serve, aggressive groundstrokes and improved return game have helped him become one of the tournament’s most dangerous players.
Historic Moment for American Tennis
Shelton’s victory carries significance beyond his first Grand Slam final.
He is the first Black American man to reach the U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and the first Black American man to reach a Grand Slam final since MaliVai Washington in 1996.
His appearance also gives American men’s tennis another opportunity to end a long Grand Slam title drought.
The last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open.
Shelton Faces Alexander Zverev in the U.S. Open Final
Standing between Shelton and his first major title is Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
The top-seeded Zverev reached the final earlier by defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6). It will be Zverev’s second U.S. Open final after he finished runner-up to Dominic Thiem in 2020.
Zverev has also been a difficult opponent for Shelton. The German won their previous five meetings, meaning Shelton will enter the final looking for his first victory over Zverev.
However, the U.S. Open final will be their first meeting at a Grand Slam, giving Shelton a new opportunity to change the history between the two players.
Zverev Brings Grand Slam Experience
Zverev enters the final with considerable experience on the biggest stages.
The 29-year-old German is the reigning French Open champion and has now reached his third Grand Slam final. His run in New York has also required significant physical effort, including lengthy matches earlier in the tournament.
His ability to control rallies from the baseline and use his serve effectively will present a major challenge for Shelton.
The final could therefore become a fascinating battle between Shelton’s explosive power and Zverev’s experience and consistency.
Shelton Carries American Hopes
For Shelton, the final represents more than an opportunity to win his first Grand Slam title.
An American men’s singles champion has not emerged at a major since Roddick’s U.S. Open victory 23 years ago. Shelton now has the chance to end that drought on the same court where Roddick last achieved the feat.
The pressure will be significant, but Shelton has repeatedly shown throughout this tournament that he can handle high-stakes situations.
His comeback against Tiafoe, following his victory over Alcaraz, has strengthened his credentials as a genuine Grand Slam contender.
Tiafoe’s U.S. Open Run Ends in the Semifinals
Tiafoe’s campaign ends in disappointment after another deep run at his home Grand Slam.
The 28-year-old American had previously reached the U.S. Open semifinals in 2022 and 2024 but was unable to advance to his first Grand Slam final.
His quarterfinal victory over Alex Michelsen was itself a remarkable comeback, making his semifinal against Shelton another important chapter in his Grand Slam career.
Despite the defeat, Tiafoe remains one of the most prominent figures in American tennis and has played an important role in the sport’s growing popularity in the United States.
A Final With Huge Stakes
The upcoming Shelton-Zverev final will determine a new U.S. Open men’s singles champion.
With Alcaraz eliminated in the quarterfinals and neither Shelton nor Zverev having previously won the U.S. Open title, the tournament is guaranteed to crown a new champion.
For Shelton, the stakes are even greater. Victory would give him his first Grand Slam trophy and end America’s long wait for another men’s major champion.
Ben Shelton has defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam final and will face Alexander Zverev for the 2026 U.S. Open title.
After overcoming Carlos Alcaraz in a historic quarterfinal and Tiafoe in the semifinals, Shelton is now one victory away from becoming a U.S. Open champion.
Zverev, meanwhile, brings greater Grand Slam experience and a 5-0 record against Shelton into Sunday’s final. The matchup promises to be a defining moment for both players—and potentially a historic night for American men’s tennis.
