Ben Shelton Overpowers Frances Tiafoe, Faces Alexander Zverev in US Open Final

Ben Shelton advanced to the US Open final after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in four sets on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Eighth-seeded Shelton won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 17 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, blasting 20 aces. Shelton will face top seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday's championship match. Zverev secured his spot by beating unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6). This marks Zverev's third consecutive Grand Slam final, a run that includes his maiden major title at the French Open and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.

Shelton, 23, becomes the first black American male player to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first black male player to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2008. He aims to be the first American male player to win the US Open singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Tiafoe, the 11th seed, will return to the world's top 10, reaching a career-high ranking of world number eight after his third US Open semi-final appearance. He stated that learning to close out matches will be his next challenge and his ultimate goal is to become a Grand Slam champion. Shelton described Tiafoe as like a big brother to me and dedicated his victory to his paternal grandmother, who passed away earlier this year.

He acknowledged the unchartered territory of reaching his first Grand Slam final and expressed excitement to put it all out on the line. Zverev commented on the upcoming match, stating, "Hopefully I can not make the American dream come true on Sunday." Shelton has not yet defeated Zverev in their previous five encounters. The semi-final match drew a star-studded crowd, including tennis legends Serena Williams, Stan Smith, and Lindsey Davenport.