Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Ben Shelton Reaches First US Open Grand Slam Final
Ben Shelton is a 23-year-old American tennis player.
He reached the final of the U.S. Open for the first time.
He did this by beating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in four sets.
Shelton says he has played more consistently during this tournament.
He will play Alexander Zverev, the tournament’s top-seeded player, in the final.
Shelton has never beaten Zverev in their five previous matches.
He knows he may feel nervous because the final is the biggest match of his career.
He says his team and friends help him stay calm and focused.
If he wins, he would end a long wait for an American men’s singles Grand Slam champion and make history as the first Black American man to win the U.S. Open since 1968.
Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the U.S. Open semifinal.
The 23-year-old Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final after a run he credited to improved consistency.
Shelton will face German top seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, seeking his first win over Zverev in six meetings.
A Shelton victory would end a 23-year wait for an American man to win a men’s singles Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick.
Shelton could become the first Black American man to win the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
- Who
- Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe and will play Alexander Zverev in the final.
- What
- Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open.
- When
- He won the semifinal on Friday; the final is scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- The tournament is being played in New York.
- Why
- Shelton is seeking to win his first Grand Slam title and end a 23-year wait for an American men’s singles champion.
- Semifinal result
- Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.
- Final opponent
- Alexander Zverev, the German top seed.
- Shelton’s age
- 23
- Historic drought
- The last American man to win a men’s singles Grand Slam title was Andy Roddick, 23 years ago in New York.
- Black American milestone
- Shelton could become the first Black American man to win the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
- Head-to-head challenge
- Shelton is seeking his first victory over Zverev in their sixth meeting.