By Janina Nuno Rios
NEW YORK, Sept 10 – Home fans will have an all-American U.S. Eighth seed Shelton, the highest-ranked American in the draw, claimed the biggest win of his career by stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller that finished at 3:33 a.m., the latest conclusion in U.S. The 11th seed has enjoyed a dream fortnight in New York and pulled off some magic of his own, battling back from two sets down to beat compatriot Alex Michelsen 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 and reach the U.S. Open in 2003, with the winner guaranteed a place in Sunday’s final. The top seed is seeking a second major title after winning his maiden Grand Slam at Roland Garros in June and will face Khachanov, who is back in a major semi-final for the first time since the 2023 Australian Open.
The all-American clash carries the hopes of a nation waiting for a men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Shelton and Tiafoe will take the Arthur Ashe Stadium spotlight after both produced dramatic quarter-final victories. Open history. Tiafoe’s quarter-final feat was no less impressive. Open semi-finals for a third time. The second semi-final has a starkly different dynamic.
Open semi-final to savour on Friday when Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe meet for a place in the final, while top seed Alexander Zverev renews a long-running rivalry with resurgent Russian Karen Khachanov.
