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Shelton Advances to US Open 2026 Men’s Final for Zverev Showdown
Confirmed
In Short: On a poignant evening marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Ben Shelton secured his place in the US Open 2026 men’s final with a hard-fought victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe.
On a poignant evening marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Ben Shelton secured his place in the US Open 2026 men’s final with a hard-fought victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe. Shelton, the big-hitting 23-year-old, defeated Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, setting up a thrilling final against top seed Alexander Zverev. Zverev, who earlier in the day defeated unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6), will now face Shelton in Sunday’s final.
In a match that began with Shelton falling behind 5-4, he managed to hold his ground and secure the first set. The second and third sets saw Shelton take control, winning them 6-3 each. The fourth set was a high-octane affair, with Shelton’s booming left-handed serve putting pressure on Tiafoe, who ultimately faltered with a double fault.
Zverev, the top seed, has been in impressive form, winning four straight matches without dropping a set. His victory over Khachanov was particularly challenging, with the match going to a tiebreaker in each of the last two sets. Zverev’s performance has earned him the nickname of a potential future champion, with his bid for a second major title of the year continuing.
Shelton’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable, having taken down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. His win over Tiafoe not only secured his place in the final but also made him the first American man to reach the US Open final since 2003. With the women’s doubles final also secured by Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, the US Open is shaping up to be a historic event for American tennis.
What's confirmed
- On a poignant evening marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Ben Shelton secured his place in the US Open 2026 men’s final with a hard-fought victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe. Shelton, the big-hitting 23-year-old, defeated Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, setting up a thrilling final against top seed Alexander Zverev. Zverev, who earlier in the day defeated unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (8/6), will now face Shelton in Sunday’s final.
- In a match that began with Shelton falling behind 5-4, he managed to hold his ground and secure the first set. The second and third sets saw Shelton take control, winning them 6-3 each. The fourth set was a high-octane affair, with Shelton’s booming left-handed serve putting pressure on Tiafoe, who ultimately faltered with a double fault.
- Zverev, the top seed, has been in impressive form, winning four straight matches without dropping a set. His victory over Khachanov was particularly challenging, with the match going to a tiebreaker in each of the last two sets. Zverev’s performance has earned him the nickname of a potential future champion, with his bid for a second major title of the year continuing.
- Shelton’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable, having taken down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. His win over Tiafoe not only secured his place in the final but also made him the first American man to reach the US Open final since 2003. With the women’s doubles final also secured by Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, the US Open is shaping up to be a historic event for American tennis.
What's still developing
- “It’s a difficult day to be out here playing,” Shelton said.
- Victory sent the German top seed into his second final in New York after his runner-up finish in 2020 to Dominic Thiem.
- With the semifinal lineup having already ensured a Black American man would reach the final, Shelton’s win made him the first to do so in New York since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and at any of the majors since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.
- “Frances, he’s like a big brother to me,” Shelton added.
- “To be able to light it up in front of you guys is the best feeling there is.” Top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend earlier secured a team career Grand Slam with a 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 victory over American wildcards Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery in the women’s doubles final.
- Both players were bidding to reach their first Grand Slam final and put on a show for a raucous crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with eighth seed Shelton coming from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5.
- He is aiming to become the first American male player to lift the US Open singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
- Shelton, who is close friends with Tiafoe off the court, said it was extra special to face him at Flushing Meadows.