Home hope Ben Shelton bids to make US Open history as the American faces Alexander Zverev in the New York final.
The 23-year-old Shelton is aiming to end the 23-year wait for an American man to triumph at the US Open, since Andy Roddick lifted the title in 2003. Shelton is also aiming to became the first Black man to win the US Open since Arthur Ashe since 1968, and will do so in the stadium that is named after the iconic Ashe.
Standing in Shelton’s way is the top seed Zverev, who is bidding to become a two-time grand slam champion in the season where the German made his breakthrough at the age of 29 at the French Open. Zverev, who was also beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final in July, has won all five of his previous matches with Shelton.
The American will have the home support this time, however, after an inspired late-night victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. After returning to beat his good friend Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals on Friday, Shelton is now just one win away from writing his name in the record books.
Follow updates from Shelton v Zverev in the US Open final, below
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
The stars are out and might be a bit bored if this is all over in straights.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
Shelton has never won a match from two sets down before. Now would be a good time.
Zverev lost his only other appearance in the US Open final from two sets up.
But that was six years ago and he is a much, much tougher player now.
US Open final: SECOND SET! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-7 (2-7) Alexander Zverev
Zverev fires one of his biggest serves of the tournament so far to move into a dominant 5-0 lead in the tiebreak. Shelton gets a couple of points back but even Zverev’s missed serves are not being cheered as raucously as they were earlier in the set.
That’s because Zverev is in full control. Shelton pulls a backhand wide and Zverev gets four set points. He thunders a first serve down the middle and moves a set away from the title. Two sets up, he closes in on a second grand slam title.
US Open final: TIEBREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-6 Alexander Zverev
Wow. A forehand winner on the run from Zverev flashes past Shelton’s forehand side as he approached the net. Zverev scorches another forehand down the line. He moves 0-3 up in the tiebreak with two points in a row going against serve. Ominous for Shelton.
US Open final: TIEBREAK! Ben Shelton 3-6 6-6 Alexander Zverev
The warning signs are flashing for Shelton as makes a backhand error to face 0-30 as Zverev moves two points form the set. But he locks in from the baseline to draw a Zverev error on the forehand, then fires an accurate serve out wide.
Shelton is then there to land the running volley after Zverev had the court to aim for! This would be some escape. But Shelton shoots the forehand winner long with Zverev scrambling behind the baseline. We go to deuce.
Shelton’s serve delivers! He gets through deuce and gets to face Zverev in the tiebreak. Shelton’s not seen a break point yet but taking this would be an absolute steal.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 5-6 Alexander Zverev
With the way he’s serving, you’d back Zverev in a tiebreak.
The good news for the French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up is that he’s into one at the very least and he can now attack the Shelton serve in the 12th game of the set.
It appears as if Zverev picked up his pace after drawing a soft warning from chair umpire Marijana Veljovic in the previous game.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 5-5 Alexander Zverev*
Air Shelton! The American takes off and puts away the smash, alley-oop style to seal the hold and remain alive in the second set.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 4-5 Alexander Zverev
Zverev, with fresh balls in hand, comfortably comes through the service game to move one game away from the second set. Pressure on Shelton now.
US Open final: Ben Shelton 3-6 4-4 Alexander Zverev*
Shelton is attempting to fire himself and the crowd up! It’s all been a bit flat so far. But with the fresh balls, Shelton fires a couple of aces on his way to a love-hold.
US Open final: *Ben Shelton 3-6 3-4 Alexander Zverev
Poor miss from Shelton as he comes into the court and attacks a forehand on 30-30, only to push it long! A fifth double fault from Zverev receives more cheers from the crowd, though, and keeps Shelton’s interest in this game alive. Deuce.
There is more applause as Zverev misses on a first serve, and the German pauses his ball toss before the second to draw a few jeers from the Arthur Ashe crowd. A nervy point follows, but Shelton goes long!
Zverev then closes out the hold to stay ahead.
