Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Ben Shelton Reaches US Open Final as Tiafoe Falls
Ben Shelton beat Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semi-final.
Tiafoe won the first set, giving him an early advantage.
Shelton then played strongly and won the next three sets.
The match ended when Tiafoe double-faulted on match point.
Afterward, Tiafoe cried and tried to hide from the cameras.
Shelton has now reached his first Grand Slam final.
He will play Alexander Zverev next.
Zverev has beaten Shelton in all five of their earlier matches.
Tiafoe has reached all three of his Grand Slam semi-finals at the US Open.
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the US Open semi-final.
Tiafoe won the opening set before Shelton took control with his serve and baseline aggression.
Shelton secured victory with a double fault from Tiafoe on match point in the fourth set.
Tiafoe was later seen crying and covering his face with a towel in the players’ tunnel.
Shelton will face Alexander Zverev in the final, despite losing all five of their previous meetings.
- Who
- American players Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe; Shelton will face Alexander Zverev in the final.
- What
- Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets to reach the US Open final.
- When
- The semi-final took place during the 2026 US Open; the final is scheduled for Sunday.
- Where
- Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open in Flushing Meadows.
- Why
- Shelton advanced by winning the final three sets after Tiafoe took the first.
- Winner
- Ben Shelton
- Opponent
- Frances Tiafoe
- Score
- 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5
- Tournament
- US Open 2026
- Final opponent
- Alexander Zverev
- Match point
- Tiafoe double-faulted while Shelton served at 6-5 in the fourth set
- Previous Tiafoe US Open semi-final
- He lost to Taylor Fritz in 2024