Shelton Reaches US Open Final Against Zverev

Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open. Shelton’s powerful serving, including 20 aces, helped him overcome Tiafoe after dropping the opening set, ending Tiafoe’s third U.S. Open semifinal appearance in five years. The all-Black American semifinal was historic: Shelton became the first Black American man since Arthur Ashe in 1968 to reach the U.S. Open final and the first since 1996 to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Shelton will face top-seeded Alexander Zverev, who beat Karen Khachanov in straight sets, with the American seeking the country’s first men’s singles major title since Andy Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open.