US Open 2026: From 'ecstasy' to 'methodical' - how 'shocked' Ben Shelton reached first major final after beating Frances Tiafoe

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United States star Ben Shelton has reached his first Grand Slam final after coming from behind to defeat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the 2026 US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York on Friday evening.

Ben Shelton celebrates with the crowd on Day 13 of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 11, 2026

Image credit: Getty Images

Shelton was playing in only his second US Open semi-final and third major last-four clash - a stage he has never progressed beyond at a Grand Slam - and claimed a stunning 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 23-year-old did it the hard way, coming from a set behind against the 11th seed to claim a comfortable victory in the end, as he continued his bid to become the first American to lift the US Open men's singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Once the dust had settled on the biggest victory of his career so far, Shelton revealed how he stayed composed to overcome his compatriot.

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"I think I was honestly shocked with how calm I was out there today, especially towards the end of the match," he explained.

"Calm, confident, focused. I think that that's what it takes to be in these positions and win at the highest level. I think it's so much mental. I don't know.

"It's kind of an interesting feeling. Like the last match that I won, I definitely had this feeling of ecstasy; it felt like, on top of the world.

"This match I felt a lot more methodical with how I went about it, how focused I was, finishing the job the way I did and kind of being able to move on to the next and look forward to the finals."

In Sunday's final, Shelton will face German top seed Alexander Zverev, who won the first Grand Slam title of his career earlier this year at the French Open, finally overcoming the final hurdle on his fourth attempt.

He also reached the Wimbledon final this year before losing out to defending champion Jannik Sinner.

Zverev has not dropped a set at the US Open since his second-round victory over Quentin Halys, and has beaten Lorenzo Sonego, Alejandro Tabilo, Luciano Darderi, Botic van de Zandschulp and Karen Khachanov on his way to the final.

As for Shelton, he defeated Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas, before beating seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz to set up the all-American clash with Tiafoe.

"This whole tournament now at this point has been uncharted territory," Shelton explained.

"I'm in positions I've never been in before. I've beaten guys - beaten a guy or guys that I have never beaten before. I'm just excited to put it all out on the line.

"Yes, I can think about how cool this moment is and what I'm playing for. At the end of the day, I'm here in New York, I'm hanging out with my team, I'm with my homies playing a little bit of tennis and I've been able to downplay the moment pretty well.

"I think for me I got great people around me that keep me grounded and focused and humble, and I think that, you know, these moments I want to cherish, I don't want to take lightly.

"But at the same time, it's very business-like the way I've been going about it."

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