Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe to reach his first Grand Slam final, where he will meet top seed Alexander Zverev at the US Open.
Key facts
- •Ben Shelton won his semi-final match against Frances Tiafoe with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.
- •Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6) to reach the final.
- •Shelton recorded 77% of points won behind his first serve during the semi-final.
- •The US Open final will be Zverev’s third consecutive appearance in a major championship final.
- •Shelton is attempting to end a 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles tournaments.
Eighth seed Ben Shelton advanced to the US Open final after a four-set victory over Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old overcame a one-set deficit to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. Shelton will now face top seed Alexander Zverev, who secured his place in the final by defeating Karen Khachanov in straight sets.
By the numbers
Shelton's Path to the Final
In a match lasting three hours and 17 minutes, Shelton recorded 47 winners and 20 aces. After losing the first set, he broke Tiafoe’s serve early in the second and maintained momentum, eventually clinching the match when Tiafoe committed a double fault on match point. This victory marks Shelton's first appearance in a Grand Slam final, following two previous semi-final losses.
Zverev's Consistent Run
Alexander Zverev reached his third consecutive Grand Slam final by defeating unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6). Despite a slow start to the tournament, Zverev has not dropped a set since his opening two matches. The 29-year-old, who won the French Open in June and reached the Wimbledon final in July, is seeking his second major title of the year.
Historical Context
Shelton is aiming to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s victory at the 2003 US Open. Since that win, American men have reached a Grand Slam final only six times. Shelton faces a significant challenge in the final, as he has lost all five of his previous professional meetings with Zverev.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport.
