Ben Shelton downs Tiafoe to reach US Open final
Shelton rallied from a set down to beat Tiafoe in four sets, setting up a US Open final against top seed Alexander Zverev on Sunday.
Ben Shelton beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5 in the U.S. Open semi-final on Friday to set up a final against top seed Aleksandr Zverev on Sunday.
Shelton lost the opening set before turning the match around, taking the next three to book his place in a maiden Grand Slam final. No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick at Flushing Meadows in 2003, a wait now in its 23rd year.
Tiafoe had moved 5-4 up in the fourth set before Shelton produced a double fault, but he steadied to close out the win.
Zverev reached the final earlier on Friday with a 6-3 7-6(9-7) 7-6(8-6) win over Karen Khachanov, taking him a step closer to a second Grand Slam title.
The semi-final fell on an evening that opened with commemorations for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Sunday's final in New York pits Shelton's bid to end America's Grand Slam drought against Zverev's pursuit of a second major title.
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