Shelton Reaches Historic U.S. Open Final

Ben Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final by defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the U.S. Open semifinals. The match was the first U.S. Open men’s semifinal between two Black American players in the Open era, ensuring the tournament’s first Black American finalist since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Shelton had earlier stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a four-hour, 28-minute quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in U.S. Open history, ending Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak. Shelton will face world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, who defeated Karen Khachanov in straight sets to reach his third Grand Slam final of 2026 and second at the U.S. Open. The final gives Shelton a chance to help end the 23-year wait for an American men’s singles major champion, although Zverev has won all five of their previous meetings.