Shelton’s Path to the Final
Shelton’s Path to the Final
Ben Shelton, a Floridian player, secured his spot in the U.S. Open final after defeating Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal match. Shelton won with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. This victory sets him up to face Alexander Zverev of Germany in the final on Sunday.
Shelton’s performance included powerful serves and a diverse range of tennis techniques. He will be competing to end a 23-year Grand Slam drought for American men. Shelton acknowledged the historical significance of the match, stating he intends to cherish the moment while focusing on the game.
The semifinal clash between Shelton and Tiafoe marked a significant moment, as two Black men had not previously competed in a Grand Slam semifinal. Shelton described Tiafoe as being like a “big brother” to him during an on-court interview.
Match Dynamics and Resilience
In the initial set, Shelton faced difficulties, serving tentatively and accumulating more unforced errors than winners. He recorded seven winners and 14 unforced errors, and his backhand appeared vulnerable. Tiafoe capitalized on this, taking the first set.
However, Shelton’s coach and father, Bryan Shelton, noted his son’s developing resilience. He observed that Shelton has a tendency to elevate his game when facing adversity. This was evident as Shelton improved significantly in the second set, with his serve speed increasing and his forehand and backhand becoming more decisive.
Tiafoe commented on the demanding nature of the match, particularly regarding his serve, describing it as “grinding, and grinding and grinding.” The match featured extended rallies, with both players demonstrating their athleticism across the court.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Shelton will enter the final against Zverev with a head-to-head record of 0-5 against the German, including three losses on hard courts. Zverev has also won their last four meetings in straight sets. Despite this, Shelton expressed confidence and called upon the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd to provide energy for the final.
He dedicated his win to his late grandmother and the victims of 9/11, acknowledging the difficult day. Shelton stated his intention to “leave it all on the court” and to compete for the USA.
Trinity Rodman, a Washington Spirit player and Shelton’s girlfriend, reacted to his semifinal win with a message on her Instagram stories: “Onto the next ❤️.” Rodman has been described by Shelton as his “lucky charm,” having been present at all four of his ATP title wins this year in Montreal, Stuttgart, Munich, and Dallas. However, a scheduling conflict with her NWSL game against Boston Legacy FC on Sunday means she may not be able to attend the final.
Rodman has maintained an impressive streak of attending all six of Shelton’s U.S. Open victories this year, often rushing to his matches shortly after her own away games. Despite the potential absence, she will be supporting him from afar as he attempts to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Shelton has previously reached Grand Slam semifinals at the U.S. Open in 2023. In the 2023 U.S. Open, he lost to Novak Djokovic. Prior to his semifinal victory over Tiafoe, Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set match on Tuesday night.
His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, noted that a first-round loss at Wimbledon earlier this year, where he fell to Otto Virtanen, a qualifier from Finland, was a turning point. Following Wimbledon, Shelton dedicated significant time to training in Florida, which his father believes is now yielding results.
The final against Alexander Zverev is scheduled for Sunday.
Read Also
Source: nytimes.com
