Ben Shelton is set to face Alexander Zverev in the US Open final, presenting a chance to achieve a historic milestone in American tennis. A win would mark Shelton as the first Black American man to claim the US Open singles title since the legendary Arthur Ashe in 1968. Additionally, he would end a 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles titles, a feat last accomplished by Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
Shelton, ranked world No 4, has reached his first Grand Slam final after an impressive journey through the tournament in New York. Despite the significant challenge ahead, particularly given his track record against Zverev, Shelton is optimistic. The American has lost all five previous hard-court encounters with the German and has not won a set in their last ten. Zverev’s formidable two-handed backhand has consistently posed challenges to Shelton’s left-handed style.
Nevertheless, Shelton is confident in his capacity to surmount these difficulties. His path to the final has seen him defeat a string of strong opponents, including Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, and Frances Tiafoe. At 22, Shelton attributes his progress to improved aspects of his game, such as his return, baseline consistency, and focus, which have evolved considerably since his breakthrough at the Australian Open in 2023, where he reached the quarter-finals.
Since then, Shelton has refined his skills, especially in baseline play and returns, leading to a more well-rounded performance. His advancement was evident as he made it to the US Open semi-finals the same year. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, has expressed confidence in his son’s ability to deliver under pressure. Ben has a track record of winning seven of his nine career finals and is keen to showcase his best performance on this grand stage.
Securing a victory over Zverev would not only grant Shelton his inaugural Grand Slam title but also enshrine his name in the annals of American tennis history, highlighting his rapid ascent and promising future in the sport.