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Ben Shelton advanced to his inaugural Grand Slam final by defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling US Open semi-final on Friday evening. Playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the eighth-seeded Shelton recovered from dropping the opening set to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory in three hours and 17 minutes. The 23-year-old delivered an impressive performance, striking 47 winners and 20 aces while winning 77 percent of points behind his first serve.
Shelton will meet top-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany in Sunday’s championship match. Zverev secured his spot in the final with a commanding straight-sets triumph over unseeded Karen Khachanov, winning 6-3, 7-6, 7-6. The victory marks Zverev’s third consecutive Grand Slam final appearance, following his French Open title in June and his runner-up finish at Wimbledon in July.
The American’s path to the final carries significant historical weight. An American man has not won a US Open singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph—occurring 11 months after Shelton’s birth. While Shelton remains winless in five previous meetings against Zverev, the support of a partisan home crowd may provide an advantage as he pursues his opportunity to end the 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles competition.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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