Shelton shuts down Tiafoe to reach USO final

Ben Shelton will try to end a 23-year-American title drought at the US Open on Sunday as he plays for the trophy against Alexander Zverev.

Shelton could become the first local since Andy Roddick in 2003 to lift the title after defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 comeback in their semi-final. Shelton now takes a 0-5 record into the final with world No. 2 Zverev.

The German ran over Karen Khachanov in their Friday semi  6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6) to reach his third Grand Slam title match this season after winning Roland Garros and finishing runner-up at Wimbledon.

The ninth-ranked Shelton goes into the final a threatening underdog. “I’m going to need you guys on Sunday,” he told the semi-final crowd  “I’m going for it here. I’m going to leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come back me.”

Zverev has experience from five previous finals at the majors while Shelton will be playing at this level for the first time after semis here in 2022 and Australian last season,

Shelton lost the opening set against Tiafoe but then began to impose his game.

“I was honestly shocked with how calm I was out there today, especially towards the end of the match,” the winner said.

“Calm, confident, focused. I think that that’s what it takes to be in these positions and win at the highest level. It’s so much mental, kind of an interesting feeling. 

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

Shelton took victory with a break in the final game of the match, finishing with 20 aces among 47 winners.

“This whole tournament now at this point has been unchartered territory. I’m in positions I’ve never been in before. I’ve beaten guys that I have never beaten before. 

“I’m just excited to put it all out on the line.”

Shelton will play his fifth final of the season, with trophies in Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal. He is the youngest American US Open men’s finalist (age 23) since Roddick, who was 21.

Main photo:- Ben Shelton celebrates reaching US Open final – by ATPTour.com