Shelton takes down Tiafoe to seal Zverev showdown in US Open final

New York, September 11 - In a thrilling U.S. Open semi-final on Friday, Ben Shelton outplayed fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with Alexander Zverev for the men's singles Grand Slam title. The match unfolded on a somber evening, with Tiafoe's team paying tribute to the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Tiafoe took an early lead 5-4, but Shelton responded with a double fault before serving up a crucial hold to clinch the first set. In the second set, Tiafoe zeroed in on Shelton's weaker backhand, yet the eighth seed intensified his play, forcing a tiebreak and breaking in the fifth game of the third set to gain control. Shelton's powerful left-handed serve and unbreakable defense in the fourth set kept the pressure on, propelling him to his first major title final.