Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe ensure American finalist at US Open
US Open
September 9, 2026
Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz showed us the brutal beauty of gladiatorial tennis in all its glory.
This is why we love Grand Slams. The five-set game requires our protagonists to dig down to heroic depths to find the very best of themselves.
It was 3.34am when these true magicians were forced to call time on their sorcery by the inevitability of a winner in the super-breaker.
There was an unshakeable calm about Shelton all match, even at the death. He thoroughly deserved his 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) reward.
‘The USA chants kept me going to the end,’ he said. ‘To share the court with Carlos was an absolute honour.’ And now Frances Tiafoe awaits in the semi-final.
For the entire first set, Ben and Carlitos tore up the tennis text books. Some of their shots and body shapes were never thought possible. Points were kept alive with an athleticism that defied ordinary human limitations,
This was drama from the sporting gods – and Ashe couldn’t get enough. This was Grand Slam tennis in all its glory.
Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz will both be able to hit this stratospheric level for five sets at Wimbledon 2027 as well.
At one point, the wheels fell off for Carlitos. It seemed as though his ring-rusty body demanded “no more.” He simply couldn’t hold serve. The champion even lost the second set on a double fault.
Against a returner as dangerous as Shelton, you need all your guns blazing for every moment of the contest. Alcaraz seemed to have hit a brick wall – and looked a spent force.
But remarkably he came alive again towards the end of the third – and even bossed the fourth. Carlitos had his second wind, leaving Shelton on the back foot once more.
And yet the American refused to panic. He still oozed self-belief as the final set began. He seemed to realise this was his time. And indeed it is.
Ben Shelton will play Frances Tiafoe for a place in the US Open final. And what could these improving superstars achieve at Wimbledon 2027? Anything is possible.
Tiafoe showed that with his incredible comeback against Alex Nichelsen. These fitness levels were barely in his armoury before. His resolve now seems almost as unshakeable as Shelton’s.
Poor young Michelsen had served for the match in the third set. But he tightened – and Big Foe saw his chance to do heroic things.
By the time Tiafoe finally closed out 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) with a beautiful forehand pass, Michelsen was in bits. He sobbed on the victor’s shoulder for what seemed like forever.
‘He’s s great guy for consoling me in that moment,’ Alex said later. ‘He was saying a lot, you know, you’ll be there when you’re older, you’re going to be here, we’re going to play again like this.’
Tiafoe said: ‘I really like Alex and I just wanted to come up there and dab him up. I didn’t think it was going to be as long as it was, but I understand the moment.’
Meanwhile the women’s all-American showdown was almost as dramatic. Emma Navarro initially had the upper hand against Jessica Pegula. But the favourite stormed back to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Now she plays reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7), in Friday’s quarter-final. The action keeps coming.
Visit London and see the top Americans at Wimbledon 2027. You could be courtside when a US star fulfils their Centre Court dream and takes the title at the spiritual home of tennis.
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