Ben Shelton reached his first Grand slam semi-final as he is into the US Open last four. In an all-American clash, Shelton, ranked No. 47 in the world, defeated last year’s semifinalist Francis Tiafoe 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 in 3 hours and 9 minutes of play.
After exchanging one set each, the third set proved to be decisive as errors from both Shelton and Tiafoe led to three breaks each. In the tiebreak, Shelton led with 6:4 points, allowed Tiafoe to turn to 7:6, but then the younger of the two tennis players made another step ahead and won 9-7 and the third part.
Ben Shelton’s reaction after beating Frances Tiafoe to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open.
He picks up the phone & hangs it up. 📞
Coldblooded. 🇺🇸 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XGf59Lne2k
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
This clearly disappointed Tiafoe and in the fourth set he provided little resistance to an inspired Shelton, who will meet Novak Djokovic in the battle for a place in the final.