In contrast, following a busy summer that included winning the Montreal Masters 1000 title, Shelton (9) defeated his compatriot Frances Tiafoe (12) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, amidst the crowd's enthusiasm for the performance delivered by the two local players.
"It's unbelievable," Shelton said after his victory, expressing his satisfaction with a match in which he showed he was "calm, confident, and focused."
After reaching the semi-finals in 2023, the 23-year-old American believes he is now "more mature," a point confirmed by his stunning quarter-final victory over the defending champion, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (3), in five sets during an epic match that lasted until late at night.
On the court Friday evening, both players showed great energy and displayed their full talents, which was also reflected by Shelton recording 47 winners.
As happened before the first semi-final, the victims of the September 11 attacks, which marked their 25th anniversary, were honored. Singer JoJo, accompanied by a choir, performed the American national anthem, while an honor guard of New York police and firefighters unfurled a giant American flag on the main court.
Shelton was the first to lose his serve when he committed a double fault in the first set. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, shouted from the box: "You have to be more aggressive on the second serve."
For America
"It's not easy playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of all these stars," Shelton said after the match with a smile. "I win a point, I look up and see who? Jalen Brunson," praising the New York Knicks playmaker, who was crowned champion and named NBA Finals MVP, and who received a warm ovation from the crowd.
"Big Ben" was spectacular on serve with 20 aces, and stunned the stadium crowd when the radar showed a speed of 158 mph (254 km/h), which would have been an absolute record on the ATP tour. However, the "Hawk-Eye" system later corrected the speed to 144 mph (231 km/h).
Every point was a battle, as happened at 5-3 in the third set when "Big Foe" barely saved three set points before surrendering at the end of a game that lasted more than 15 minutes. From then on, Tiafoe could no longer find a solution against the physical capabilities and immense power of the left-handed player.
Shelton is now one step away from becoming the first American to win the US Open title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
"I need you guys," Shelton said amidst the cheers of Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I'm going to give everything I have on the court. We're going to do this for America."
But he warned afterwards: "The job is not done yet," noting that he is fulfilling one of his dreams by reaching his first Grand Slam final.
To do so, he will have to overcome the obstacle of Alexander Zverev, who is preparing to play his third consecutive Grand Slam final this season, after winning his first major title at Roland Garros in June and losing the Wimbledon final in July.
The German giant (1.98 m) said: "Ben is simply strong, a player with immense power. His serve is terrifying and his groundstrokes are powerful. Everything he does is impressive."
My Year
Zverev also almost let the third set slip away, but he saved two set points before ending the match on his first match point after two hours and 56 minutes of play.
"I've been so close so many times," he said after the match. "Maybe after all this time, God decided that this is my year, and that I should simply enjoy the moment on the court."
After two difficult opening rounds where he needed five sets, "Sascha" confirms his improved level in the tournament by achieving his fourth consecutive straight-sets victory, just before the final.
New York was the city where he reached the first Grand Slam final of his career in 2020, when he lost the final to Austria's Dominic Thiem despite leading by two sets to love.
"I lacked experience," Zverev warned. "I think I was still young. Today, everything is different."
