Shelton powers past Tiafoe to reach first Grand Slam final against Zverev

Ben Shelton of the United States chases to return a shot against Frances Tiafoe of the United States during their Men’s Semifinal match on Day Thirteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 11, 2026. — Getty Images pic via AFP

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 12:21 PM MYT

NEW YORK, Sept 12 — Big-serving Ben Shelton overpowered American compatriot Frances Tiafoe in four sets to reach the first Grand Slam final of his career at the US Open on Friday.

Eighth-seeded Shelton blasted 20 aces on his way to a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court that sends the 23-year-old into Sunday’s championship match against top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany.

A pulsating all-American semi-final had seen both players vying to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time.

Shelton — who took down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals — will now have the chance to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since 2003, when Andy Roddick triumphed at the US Open.

Tiafoe got off to a bright start, claiming the first set after breaking when Shelton uncharacteristically double-faulted to trail at 5-4.

Tiafoe held to love to clinch the first set but Shelton came flying out of the blocks to start the second.

An early break helped him into a 2-0 lead before Tiafoe responded with a break to level at 2-2.

Yet with Tiafoe’s serve increasingly erratic, Shelton grabbed another break in the eighth game to go 5-3 up and then held to level.

The momentum was all with Shelton and Tiafoe had to fight off two break points before holding early in the third set.

However Shelton – who had one serve initially clocked at 158mph before it was later adjusted to 144mph — made no mistake in the fifth game with a break to go 3-2 up.

Tiafoe needed to hold to keep the set alive in the ninth game, and a furious arm-wrestle saw the 11th seed once again save three break and set points.

Shelton though earned his fourth break point after pouncing on Tiafoe’s second serve once more, scorching a backhand return down the line.

Shelton converted that when Tiafoe netted a forehand to find himself 2-1 down.

The fourth set went with serve until the 12th game, when Shelton grabbed the crucial break to seal victory. — AFP