Ben Shelton has booked his place in the US Open final after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a gripping semifinal encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in a match that lasted three hours and 17 minutes before a packed crowd of 24,000 spectators.
The victory was historic. Shelton became the first Black American man to reach a US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first to reach any Grand Slam final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996. That’s 28 years of waiting.
Both players delivered an entertaining contest filled with powerful forehands and dramatic rallies, though moments of inconsistency crept in. Shelton’s left-handed serve proved decisive, firing 20 aces with speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour. The match ended when Tiafoe, seeded 11th, double-faulted on match point. There was no trademark celebration from Shelton this time, showing respect for his opponent whom he described as “like a big brother.”
Shelton will face top seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, chasing what could be America’s first male Grand Slam champion since Andy Rod won at Flushing Meadows in 2003. Can he break another streak? He’s never beaten Zverev in five career meetings.
You May Like
Leave a comment