Up to date Sept. 11, 2026, 11:35 p.m. ET
NEW YORK – Twenty-three years is a very long time to attend, and Ben Shelton simply acquired American tennis one win nearer to ending it.
No American man has gained the US Open – or any Grand Slam singles title – since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in Flushing Meadows in 2003. Now, Ben Shelton will look to lastly break the lengthy U.S. drought within the ultimate in opposition to No. 1 Alexander Zverev on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Shelton outlasted Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal that had Arthur Ashe Stadium rocking for over three hours. Add that it was two Black males taking part in on the courtroom named after the legendary American tennis participant. Ashe was the final Black American man to play in a US Open ultimate, all the best way again in 1972.
The turning level for Shelton was a wild ultimate sport of the third set. Tiafoe holding 4 separate sport factors and unable to shut a single one, lastly handing Shelton the break that swung the match his manner. USWNT and NWSL star Trinity Rodman, Shelton’s girlfriend, watched it from his field.
Shelton has now gone farther on this US Open than he has at any of the 4 Grand Slam tournaments. His earlier finest end in a serious was the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2025.
Earlier top-seeded Alexander Zverev superior to his third consecutive Grand Slam ultimate, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 within the US Open semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev gained the French Open and was the runner-up at Wimbledon.
USA TODAY Sports activities had dwell protection of each males’s semifinal matches Friday. Scroll under for highlights:
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US Open males’s semifinal outcomes Friday
- No. 1 Alexander Zverev def. Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6)
- No. 8 Ben Shelton def. No. 11 Frances Tiafoe, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5
Ben Shelton vs. Frances Tiafoe highlights
Ben Shelton outlasts Frances Tiafoe to take the third set
The ultimate sport of the third set was a battle in itself, lasting quarter-hour and 5 seconds. Frances Tiafoe served to try to hold the set alive however couldn’t maintain off the surging Shelton. Tiafoe held 4 separate sport factors, and Shelton stored discovering a option to struggle again to even.
Shelton had his personal possibilities slip away too. He had three break factors earlier than Tiafoe missed a forehand into the online to offer Shelton the third set 6-3.
Ben Shelton brings the warmth within the third set
Ben Shelton was recorded hitting a 158-mile an hour serve within the third set.
Ben Shelton fights again and takes the second set
After dropping the primary set, Ben Shelton got here again and broke Frances Tiafoe’s serve twice to take the second set 6-3. Shelton lower down on his errors, with simply 4 unforced errors after committing 14 within the first set. He additionally used his booming serve extra successfully, serving 5 aces and successful 75% of the factors on his first serve.
Frances Tiafoe takes the primary set in opposition to Ben Shelton
Frances Tiafoe broke Ben Shelton within the ninth sport after which gained his serve to take the primary set 6-4. Shelton is hurting himself with 14 unforced errors and two double faults.
Jalen Brunson and a fan on the match
NBA champion Jalen Brunson was noticed with actor Ben Stiller within the stands watching the match. The Knicks star is ready to host the primary Saturday Evening Dwell of the season.
Remembering 9/11 25 years later on the Billie Jean King Tennis Heart
Earlier than two American males battle it out for a spot within the ultimate of the US Open, the USTA remembered those that died within the terrorist assaults on Sept. 11, 2001. The New York Metropolis Police Division and Hearth Division honor guards introduced the flags and pop singer JoJo sang the nationwide anthem.
Learn extra on how the US Open remembered 9/11 right here.
Trinity Rodman in the home
Ben Shelton’s acquired his greatest fan again in his field: Trinity Rodman is courtside for the semifinal, similar as she has been for his huge wins all match.
Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov highlights
No. 1 Alexander Zverev defeats . Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (8)
Karen Khachanov serves manner into third-set tiebreaker
With each gamers complaining a couple of glare coming off the the doorways of the suites, Khachanov held his serve to ship the third set right into a tiebreaker.
The printed mentioned the glare is coming from the glass on the doorways of the suites when they’re opened.
Alexander Zverev wins second set vs Karen Khachanov
After Alexander Zverev gained the primary set 6-3, he gained the tiebreak 9-7 and claimed the second set, 7-6. Khachanov saved one set level when he lasered a 93-mph backhand winner, however on the following set Zverev dug in and defended for the win.
Zverev now has a 26-12 report in tiebreaks this 12 months. In the meantime, Khachanov falls to 8-14 in tiebreaks this 12 months.
Zverev vs Khachanov: Tiebreak to resolve second set
Zverev did not lose some extent and closed out the sport with an ace to power a tiebreak at 6-6 within the second set. Of their earlier head-to-head conferences, Zverev and Khachanov have performed three tiebreaks. Zverev gained two of them.
Zverev serving to remain in second set
The second set is again on serve with Khachanov main 6-5, so Zverev must win his subsequent service sport to power a tiebreak sport. Zverev’s first two matches of the match went to 5 units, however he gained his subsequent three in straight units and will probably be hoping to keep away from one other marathon match.
Alexander Zverev fights off break level
In a important second, Alexander Zverev tied the second set 3-3 and denied Karen Khachanov a second consecutive break. If Zverev goes on to win this set, that sport will probably be thought-about an enormous turning level and a squandered alternative for Khachanov, who had seized momentum and will style a two-game lead.
Karen Khachanov takes second set lead
Khachanov earned an important maintain to go up 3-2 within the second set, his first lead of this match. There’s nonetheless an uphill climb in entrance of him, however the Russian appears to be rising extra assured on the web and is sporting Zverev down together with his relentless crosscourt backhand.
Karen Khachanov breaks again, ties second set
Alexander Zverev had his serve damaged for the primary time at present and allowed Karen Khachanov to even the second set, 2-2. After Khachanov despatched Zverev chasing pictures out huge and arrange a few break factors at 15-40, Zverev double faulted on the following level.
Khachanov on the board in second set
Karen Khachanov recovered from getting damaged and gained his subsequent service sport, together with a spectacular over-the-shoulder backhand volley. He now trails 2-1 within the second set.
Second set: Alexander Zverev will get early break
With Khachanov serving within the first sport of the second set, Zverev gained and took an early 1-0 lead. Zverev might very nicely go into cruise mode now.
Zverez takes first set 6-3 over Khachanov
Alexander Zverez regarded like he barely broke a sweat whereas leaping out to a one-set lead. Karen Khachanov is taking part in first rate tennis, however he had nearly twice as many unforced errors as Zverev, who was content material to play defensively and await his opponent to make a mistake. In eight of their final 9 conferences, the participant who gained the primary set gained the match.
Zverev will get break, leads Khachanov 5-3
Alexander Zverev secured the primary break of the match and can serve for the primary arrange 5-3. Khachanov was one level away from tying the set 4-4 when he dedicated a double fault, organising the primary deuce level of the day. Following a flurry of crosscourt backhand rallies, Zverev gained the following two factors and pumped his fist.
Alexander Zverev up 4-3 in first set
It is likely to be semifinal nerves, however up to now Zverev’s first serve hasn’t been as correct because it normally is. In his first 4 service video games, the German has made simply 60% of his first serves — far under his profession common of 72%. He is nonetheless successful 92% (11-of-12) of his first serve factors, making the most of his 6-foot-6 peak to make successful pictures on the web.
Zverev vs Khachanov on serve early
Neither man has been damaged but by three video games, with Zverev main the opening set 2-1. The final time Zverev and Khachanov performed one another was in August 2025 within the spherical of 16 on the Cincinnati Open, when Khachanov retired early with Zverev main 7-5, 3-0.
US Open males’s semifinal outcomes
This part will probably be up to date as motion progresses.
US Open predictions males’s semifinals
Try our knowledgeable’s full predictions.
- Scooby Axson: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
- Danielle Lerner: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
- Cydney Henderson: Ben Shelton over Frances Tiafoe; Alexander Zverev over Karen Khachanov
Who’s favored to win US Open males’s semifinals?
Betting odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:44 a.m. ET
- Alexander Zverev -500; Karen Khachanov +360
- Ben Shelton -300; Frances Tiafoe +240
Who gained US Open ladies’s doubles ultimate?
- Taylor Townsend/Katerina Siniakova def. Ashlyn Krueger/Robin Montgomery 5-7, 6-0, 6-2
Who will play within the US Open ladies’s ultimate?
- No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 2 Elena Rybakina, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Zverev vs. Khachanov head-to-head
Alexander Zverev leads the all-time collection in opposition to Karen Khachanov, 6-3. Zverev gained their most up-to-date assembly, which got here on the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, when Khachanov retired.
Shelton vs. Tiafoe head-to-head
Ben Shelton has overwhelmed Frances Tiafoe in three of the 4 matchups they’ve had. Shelton gained the final time they confronted off, on the 2025 Washington Open. This will probably be their third conflict on the US Open, with every successful as soon as.
US Open ladies’s semifinal outcomes
- Aryna Sabalenka def. Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2
- Elena Rybakina def. Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Who’s favored to win US Open ladies’s finals?
Betting odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:44 a.m. ET
- Aryna Sabalenka -140; Elena Rybakina +118
