Ben Shelton has given American tennis a reason to believe again.
The 23-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 on Friday night to reach his first Grand Slam final, setting up a historic showdown at the US Open on Sunday.
Shelton’s victory means he is the youngest American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2005. Even more significantly, he is the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
It is also the first time a Black American man has reached a Grand Slam singles final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.
And now, Shelton has one match left.
After his victory, he was reminded that it has been 23 years since an American man last won the US Open title and that Ashe was the last Black American man to play the final in New York.
His response was emotional.
“It’s a lot of emotion. My mom and dad sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today. My dad lost his mom earlier this year. She’s the reason he was able to play tennis. Without her there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her.”
Then said to the American crowd ahead of Sunday.
“Ima need you guys on Sunday to bring the energy. We’re going for it here. Ima leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come and back me. Let’s do this for the USA.”
When Shelton sealed his place in the final, his friend Tiafoe immediately walked around the net to congratulate him.
Now comes the big one.
Shelton will now face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s US Open final, where he will be chasing his first Grand Slam title and a piece of history for American tennis.
The American has already made history by reaching the final. On Sunday, he has the chance to go one step further.
