Ben Shelton beat Frances Tiafoe in four sets to reach the US Open final, becoming the first Black American man to reach the championship final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. The 23-year-old Shelton won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night, setting up a Sunday decider against Alexander Zverev.
This semifinal was historic on several counts. It marked the first time two Black American men appeared together in a grand slam semifinal, and Shelton’s run to the final ends a 23-year stretch during which no American man reached a major championship final.
Shelton has climbed steadily through the tournament, and his most important victory came against No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, a match that revealed how deep his game runs. Against Tiafoe, he relied on his big serve and heavy groundstrokes, with his forehand doing much of the work, to wear down his younger rival.
Tiafoe Takes the First Set
In the opening set, Tiafoe came out the more precise player, seizing the first break of the match in the ninth game before settling the advantage with a hold at love to claim the first set 6-4.
A message was sent to Shelton right from the start, and he heard it with full attention. He composed himself and found his level, making just 14 unforced errors in the opening set.
Shelton Finds His Top Form
The latter part of Shelton’s performance showed a fully realized level of maturity. After the match, he spoke about the growth that has defined his season.
“I’ve grown up. I’m more mature. More focused,” Shelton said. “I know what my goal is. I know what my job is out here. I’m 100% committed to those goals. It’s not easy playing here at Arthur Ashe, playing in front of all your favorite athletes and movie stars. Being able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task. I keep on looking up at the screen saying, ‘Oh, shoot, Jalen Brunson’s here.'”
The serve remained a constant weapon throughout the match. A reading of 158 mph appeared on the stadium gun first, but it was later determined to be a misread and corrected to 144 mph.
The Long Third Set
In the very sets where Shelton emerged victorious, Tiafoe sat perilously close to the brink. The closing game of that third set stretched past 15 minutes, and it concluded with Shelton breaking through Tiafoe’s defense after four separate attempts.
The fourth set began with a long contest on Shelton’s serve, with the pressure steadily mounting throughout. Both players held their service games for the opening 11 exchanges, each one overcoming strong challenges and chances to break.
The Service Discrepancy Decides It
Tiafoe’s service woes finally came back to haunt him in the 12th game. He fell behind 0-40 to give Shelton three match points, and the 23-year-old took the fourth set 7-5 to seal the win.
The statistics paint the picture. Shelton served with precision, recording 20 aces while committing just three double faults and getting his first serve in 75% of the time. His opponent struggled by comparison, getting his own serve in just 57% of the time. Shelton then seized control at the net, winning 62% of his return points against Tiafoe’s second serve.
What Shelton Has Won
Zverev is through to the final, where he will meet Shelton, after a year of steady play that has included three consecutive Grand Slam finals appearances and a French Open title.
The stakes are high for American tennis. Shelton can become a grand slam champion and end the 23-year drought for American men in the process.
The Numbers Behind the Match
- Final result: Shelton 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 over Tiafoe
- First serve percentage: Shelton 75%, Tiafoe 57%
- Aces: Shelton 20, Tiafoe 3
- Return points won on Tiafoe’s second serve: Shelton 62%
Shelton’s comeback was complete. He lost the opening set, but then he won three straight to make it into the final. Even as he kept glancing up at the crowd, he spoke of his commitment and his focus.
A championship is on the line and a nation is watching, so the stakes could not be higher. The match was tense, and Shelton responded to the pressure. He will face Zverev on Sunday, with a title at stake.
American tennis finds itself at a significant moment. Shelton has advanced to the championship match, and he now stands ready to accomplish what no American man has managed in over twenty years. The outcome will be decided on Sunday.
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