ZVEREV vs SHELTON | US Open 2026 | Final Preview & Predictions

Ben Shelton is into his FIRST Grand Slam final! 🇺🇸🔥 Shelton defeats Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the US Open 2026 final, where Alexander Zverev awaits after his straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov.

Shelton recovered brilliantly after losing the opening set, firing 20 aces and increasingly taking control with his huge serve and explosive forehand. After stunning Carlos Alcaraz in an epic five-set quarterfinal, Shelton has now beaten Tiafoe to move just ONE victory away from his first Grand Slam title.

Shelton also becomes the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and the first Black American man to reach any Grand Slam singles final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.

Standing in his way is Alexander Zverev.

Zverev defeated Khachanov 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 to reach another Grand Slam final, producing his best tennis when it mattered most. He won both tiebreaks and recovered from 5-2 down in the third-set breaker to finish the match in straight sets.

We break down both US Open men's semifinals:

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe

Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov

Why Shelton was able to take control

Zverev's incredible form in the big moments

Shelton's historic run in New York

Tiafoe's missed opportunity