Ben Shelton advances to the US Open final after defeating Frances Tiafoe
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 6:53 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026

Ben Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final after a four-set victory over Frances Tiafoe at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday. Shelton dropped the opening set before recording a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 win. The No. 8 seed utilized 20 aces and 47 winners to overcome his opponent, securing the final spot with a break during a 19-point game in the third set. With the result, Shelton became the first Black American man to reach a US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and the first to reach any Grand Slam final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996. The performance guarantees him a career-high world ranking of No. 4. Shelton is now scheduled to face top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the championship match, where he will attempt to secure the first US Open title for an American man since 2003.
- •Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- •Shelton is the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since 1972.
- •The victory moves the No. 8 seed to a career-high ranking of No. 4.
- •Shelton faces Alexander Zverev in the upcoming tournament final.
- •The win follows a quarterfinal victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
- 6:53 AMYahoo Sports — US Open news: Robert Griffin III toasts 'my guy' Ben Shelton for huge win over Frances Tiafoe
"Robert Griffin III wasted no time celebrating Ben Shelton’s breakthrough on Friday night. The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner took to social media shortly after Shelton advanced to his first Grand Slam final , framing the achievement around the history that came with it. “Congrats to my guy Ben Shelton,” Griffin wrote on X, […] The post US Open news: Robert Griffin III toasts 'my guy' Ben Shelton for huge win over Frances Tiafoe appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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