Ben Shelton is set to face Alexander Zverev in the US Open final with a golden opportunity to end a 23-year drought for American men in singles competition. If successful, Shelton would be the first Black American man to claim the US Open singles title since Arthur Ashe in 1968 and the first American male to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick achieved the feat at the 2003 US Open.
Reaching his first Grand Slam final as the world No. 4, Shelton has displayed remarkable form in New York. However, overcoming Zverev will be a formidable task. Shelton has struggled against the German in past encounters, having lost all five of their hard-court meetings and 10 consecutive sets. Zverev’s potent two-handed backhand has posed significant challenges to Shelton’s left-handed play.
Despite the daunting matchup, Shelton remains optimistic. Throughout the tournament, he has already vanquished formidable opponents like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, and Frances Tiafoe. The 22-year-old attributes his success to improvements in his return game, baseline consistency, and mental focus, which have significantly enhanced his performance.
Shelton’s rapid development has been evident since his breakthrough at the Australian Open in 2023, where he reached the quarter-finals. Although he only made it to the US Open semi-finals that same year, his game has since evolved, particularly in baseline play and return accuracy. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, is confident in his son’s ability to excel under pressure, noting Ben’s impressive record of winning seven out of nine career finals.
Triumphing over Zverev would not only grant Shelton his first Grand Slam title but also secure his legacy in American tennis history. With the chance to perform at his peak on the grandest stage of his career, Shelton is poised to make a significant impact.