Ben Shelton is aiming to make history by becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam tournament in over 23 years. The 23-year-old defeated his good friend Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals and has reached his first-ever Grand Slam final at the US Open 2026. This is a huge achievement for Shelton, who previously made it to the Australian Open semifinals in 2025.
Shelton, seeded eighth, has been playing exceptionally well throughout the tournament. He secured a thrilling five-set win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The last American to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
In the final, Shelton will face Alexander Zverev of Germany. Zverev earned his place in the final by defeating Karen Khachanov in a tense match that included two tie-breaks. This is Zverev’s second US Open final and his third Grand Slam final of the season, following wins at the French Open and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.
Zverev’s victory over Khachanov makes him one of only 12 men since 1978 to reach Grand Slam finals on three different surfaces in the same year. However, Shelton has never won against Zverev in their five previous meetings, which began in a quarterfinal at the Cincinnati Masters in 2024.
In India, Star Sports is broadcasting the US Open final live. The match between Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev will air on Star Sports channels, with live streaming available through the JioStar app and website.