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Fat Bear Week Finals: Four Bears Compete for Title
Confirmed
In Short: Ben Shelton advanced to the US Open final after defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a semifinal match at the tournament.
Shelton's victory sets up a final against Alexander Zverev, who earlier defeated unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov.
Shelton's potential win would mark the first American men's Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick's victory at the 2003 US Open.
Zverev, who has lost only one of his last 32 matches at majors, secured his place in the final with a tough win over Khachanov.
Shelton's journey to the final includes a dramatic five-set quarterfinal match against Alcaraz, which ended at 3:34 local time, setting a new latest finish record at the US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva are also advancing in the women's singles, with Sabalenka defending her title and Andreeva aiming for her first Grand Slam victory.
Elena Rybakina is also making strides towards a potential third Grand Slam title, having defeated Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals.
The final match will determine whether an American man can win a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2003.
Shelton's journey to the final has been marked by dramatic and late-night matches, showcasing his resilience and skill.
What's confirmed
- Shelton's victory sets up a final against Alexander Zverev, who earlier defeated unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov.
- Shelton's potential win would mark the first American men's Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick's victory at the 2003 US Open.
- Zverev, who has lost only one of his last 32 matches at majors, secured his place in the final with a tough win over Khachanov.
- Shelton's journey to the final includes a dramatic five-set quarterfinal match against Alcaraz, which ended at 3:34 local time, setting a new latest finish record at the US Open.
- Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva are also advancing in the women's singles, with Sabalenka defending her title and Andreeva aiming for her first Grand Slam victory.
- Elena Rybakina is also making strides towards a potential third Grand Slam title, having defeated Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals.
- The final match will determine whether an American man can win a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2003.
- Shelton's journey to the final has been marked by dramatic and late-night matches, showcasing his resilience and skill.
What's still developing
- Backpack beat Bear #910 in the final round of the bracket-style competition where bear enthusiasts from around the world can vote online for their favorite chunky bear in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
- Just like in 2025, the four highest-ranked teams overall in the final selection committee rankings earn the top four seeds and first-round byes, regardless of whether they won a conference title.
- Comeback COMPLETE ✅ The moment @FTiafoe booked his spot in a third #USOpen semi-final after an epic vs Michelsen 🥵 pic.twitter.com/jUn8Jg3B3q Tiafoe lost to Alcaraz in 2022, when the Spaniard won his first of seven Grand Slam titles.
- Aryna Sabalenka survived the biggest test of her title defence against sixth seed Linda Noskova to reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday, as fans awaited an all-American "Battle of the Billionaires" later in the programme.
- Shelton will need the US fans' full support against fearsome titleholder Alcaraz, who has lost just one of his last 32 matches at the majors beginning with his title run at last year’s Roland Garros.
- Ben Shelton defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an electric US Open semifinal on Friday to secure a title clash with Alexander Zverev and move closer to ending a 23-year American wait for a men’s singles Grand Slam champion.
- Shelton, the big-hitting 23-year-old who took down defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, now stands one victory away from becoming the first American man to win a major singles title since Andy Roddick hoisted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003.
- Shane Lowry will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Amgen Irish Open, but Rory McIlroy’s title defence is over following a round that was played amid the arrival of United States President Donald Trump on Air Force One.
- Lowry, the home favourite, closed in on a first individual title since 2022 after shooting a five-under-par 65 at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, with Dane Jacob Skov Olesen in second.
- Chilean Joaquin Niemann was seven shots behind Lowry, who excelled with his putting on the back nine to move to 16 under overall as he chases only his second Irish Open title.
- Shelton was less than a year old when Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003 - but an American finalist is guaranteed when he and Frances Tiafoe meet in Friday's semi-finals.
- Katie Taylor looks to defend her super lightweight undisputed title with a victory over Flora Pili in Taylor’s final fight of her career.