By Benson Daniel
Ben Shelton has reached his first Grand Slam final after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in four sets in a thrilling US Open semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The eighth-seeded Shelton recovered from losing the opening set to beat Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 and secure his place in Sunday’s final against Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
Tiafoe made the stronger start, taking advantage of Shelton’s early errors to claim the first set 6-4. Shelton, however, gradually found his rhythm and used his powerful left-handed serve to take control of the contest.
The 23-year-old levelled the match by winning the second set 6-3 before producing another strong performance in the third. A lengthy and fiercely contested game late in the set tested both players, but Shelton eventually moved ahead 2-1 in sets.
Tiafoe refused to surrender in the fourth set and stayed within touching distance as the match entered its decisive stages. Shelton held his nerve late in the set, breaking in the 12th game after Tiafoe committed a double fault to seal the victory.
Shelton produced 18 aces during the match and repeatedly relied on his serve and aggressive baseline play to put pressure on Tiafoe.
The victory carries major historical significance for Shelton. He becomes the first Black American man to reach the US Open men’s singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He is also the first Black American man to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles final since MaliVai Washington reached the Wimbledon final in 1996.
The result also keeps alive American hopes of ending a long wait for a men’s Grand Slam singles champion. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a major men’s singles title when he triumphed at the US Open in 2003.
Shelton’s route to the final has included another major breakthrough, with the American defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final before overcoming Tiafoe.
He will now face second-seeded Zverev, who defeated Karen Khachanov in straight sets in the other semi-final. Zverev won 6-3, 7-6(7-9), 7-6(8-6) to reach his second US Open final.
For Tiafoe, the defeat ends another deep run in New York without a first Grand Slam final appearance. The American nonetheless played a significant role in an historic semi-final that featured two Black American men competing against each other at this stage of a major tournament.
After the match, Shelton paid tribute to Tiafoe, describing him as a big brother and saying it was special to share the court with him at the US Open.
The final against Zverev will give Shelton an opportunity to claim his first Grand Slam title and potentially end America’s 23-year wait for a men’s singles champion at a major.
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