New York (AFP) – Top-seeded Alexander Zverev is the only Grand Slam champion still standing as the US Open men's singles hit the semi-final stage on Friday, when all eyes will be on the all-American matchup between eighth-seeded Ben Shelton and 11th seed Frances Tiafoe.
Issued on: 10/09/2026 - 19:14
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Shelton vanquished defending champion and seven-time major-winner Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping quarter-final that kept even Zverev watching until after 3:30 in the morning."I did not go to bed," the German said, predicting a "fun semi-final between two Americans."Tiafoe also came through a dramatic five sets to reach the last four, rallying from two sets down to hand young compatriot Alex Michelsen a heartbreaking defeat.Now he and Shelton will battle to become the first US man to reach the US Open final since Taylor Fritz in 2024 and have a chance to end the American men's 23-year Grand Slam title drought -- stretching back to Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open triumph.
Frances Tiafoe will take on Ben Shelton in an all-American blockbuster US Open semi-final © ANGELA WEISS / AFP/File
