Ben Shelton Reaches First Grand Slam Final at US Open

At 23 years old, Shelton aims to become the first American man to win the US Open men's singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003. He is also the youngest American man to reach the finals since Roddick, who was 21 at the time. If he wins the final, he will be the first player from a college background, male or female, to claim a Grand Slam singles title since 1984.

Shelton will also be the first Black American man to compete in a US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, doing so on the court named in Ashe's honor.

In the first set, both players maintained their serves until Tiafoe broke Shelton in the ninth game, seizing a 6-4 lead. Shelton then took a 2-0 advantage in the second set, but Tiafoe quickly leveled the score. However, Shelton regained control, winning three successive games to take the second set, 6-3.

The third set included a notable 15-minute game with four set points, ultimately leading to Shelton breaking Tiafoe's serve and winning 6-3. In the final set, Tiafoe struggled with Shelton's powerful serve, with Shelton initially taking a 2-1 lead. Though Tiafoe managed to tie the set at 5-5, Shelton responded to close out the match at 7-5.

The semifinal served as a significant match for both players, with Shelton coming off a major victory against No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Post-match, Shelton expressed a deep emotional connection, dedicating his victory to his late grandmother, saying, "Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her."

Shelton is set to face No. 1 Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday, aiming for his fifth title of the year and his first Grand Slam championship. He has faced Zverev five times previously but has yet to secure a victory against the German, and they have never met in a Grand Slam match.