Ben Shelton Reaches US Open Final, Ends 23-Year Wait for Historic American Milestone
The 23 year old defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets and will face Germany’s Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s championship match.
NEW YORK, Sept 12: American tennis player Ben Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final after defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in four sets at the US Open on Saturday, moving within one victory of ending a 23 year wait for an American men’s singles champion at the tournament.
Shelton recovered from losing the opening set to beat Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an intense semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23 year old produced 20 aces and maintained a strong first-serve percentage to overcome his fellow American.
The victory also secured Shelton a place in the history books. He became the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He is also the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2006.
Shelton will now meet Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev booked his place in the title clash after overcoming Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) in the other semifinal.
The German, who won the French Open earlier this year, is seeking his second Grand Slam title and will make his second appearance in a US Open final.
For Shelton, the championship match presents an opportunity to become the first American man since Roddick won the US Open in 2003 to lift the singles trophy at Flushing Meadows.
The result caps a breakthrough tournament for the young American, who had earlier survived a five-set battle against Carlos Alcaraz. He will now look to complete his remarkable run when he takes on Zverev in Sunday’s final.
