Media Kampung, New York – Ben Shelton clinched his inaugural Grand Slam final appearance by overcoming Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinal, while the American star departed the court in visible tears.
The four‑set encounter unfolded with Tiafoe taking the opening set 6‑4, but Shelton rallied to claim the next three sets 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5, completing a comeback that lasted just over three hours. Shelton’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline play turned the tide after the first set, and a decisive double fault from Tiafoe sealed the match.
Following the loss, Tiafoe was seen covering his face with a towel and walking through the players’ tunnel, a stark contrast to the celebratory mood in Arthur Ashe Stadium. His emotional exit underscored the disappointment of a third US Open semi‑final defeat for the 28‑year‑old.
In post‑match remarks, Shelton admitted that the presence of numerous celebrities—including Spike Lee, Rami Malek, Kevin Hart and Russell Wilson—made concentration challenging. He noted, “Playing in front of so many famous faces is exciting, but it’s not easy to keep your head down for three hours.”
Shelton also paid tribute to his family, thanking his parents for their support and honoring his late grandmother, whose influence he described as pivotal to his career.
With the victory, Shelton advances to face Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final, offering the United States a chance to end a 23‑year Grand Slam title drought for American men. A win would also make Shelton the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
- Final score: 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑3, 7‑5
- Match duration: ~3 hours 17 minutes
- Key moment: Tiafoe’s double fault in the fourth set
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