Ben Shelton rolls past Frances Tiafoe to reach US Open final with chance to end American drought

The crowd couldn’t choose sides, so they cheered at every chance, like proud and conflicted parents.

Their ties went deeper with Frances Tiafoe, who is 11 years removed from his U.S. Open debut, and the embodiment of the American dream, who slept in the Maryland tennis facility where his father was a maintenance worker, following his parents’ escape from civil war in Sierra Leone.

The 28-year-old was making his third semifinal appearance in Queens — the first American man to do so since Andre Agassi — mixing relentlessness and craftiness to produce the loudest possible pops from the world’s largest tennis stadium.

Ben Shelton offered rebuttals that broke brains, eliciting gasps with some of the most powerful serves humanity has ever seen, fresh off his star-making turn in the early-morning upset of Carlos Alcaraz, showcasing, at 23, the highest ceiling America has seen in years.

Screams and fist pumps surfaced early and often from both sides, serving reminders of the stakes. This was the one that couldn’t get away.

In just the second All-American men’s U.S. Open semifinal in the past two decades and the first-ever meeting between black men at this stage, Shelton took a massive step towards forever, defeating Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to set up Sunday’s final against No. 1 Alexander Zverev.

Shelton — the No. 8 seed and the highest-ranked player in the nation — is now one win from becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick claimed the 2003 U.S. Open. Shelton also could become the first black men’s U.S. Open champion since Arthur Ashe won it in 1968.

“It’s a lot of emotion,” said Shelton, who was born 11 months before Roddick’s lone Grand Slam triumph. “I’m going to need [the crowd] on Sunday to bring the energy. I’m going to leave it all on the court.

“Let’s do this for the USA.”

Shelton joins Taylor Fritz as the only active American man to reach a Grand Slam final, three years after becoming the youngest U.S. Open semifinalist in 31 years.

Shelton is winless in five career meetings against Zverev, though he just overcame an 0-3 lifetime mark against Alcaraz to win their quarterfinal classic.

“I think I was honestly shocked with how calm I was out there today, especially towards the end of the match,” Shelton said. “I think that that’s what it takes to be in these positions and win at the highest level.

“I feel that confidence and belief take over.”

Roughly 40 hours after the greatest win of his career, Shelton looked shaky, committing twice as many unforced errors (14) as winners in the first set.

But he continued taking chances, and kept Tiafoe scrambling, finishing with nearly twice as many winners (47-27), with a 20-3 edge in aces.

“It’s a tough one,” said Tiafoe, the No. 11 seed. “Ultimately, I want to do the thing, man. I want to be a Grand Slam champion one day.”

Tiafoe, the No. 11 seed, seemed capable of trading punches as long as necessary. He had won five straight matches against top 10 opponents, was coming off a miracle comeback against Alex Michelsen and took each of his previous two semifinal losses (against Djokovic and Fritz) the distance.

But on the verge of a tiebreaker to force a fifth set, Shelton seized control, taking the match on Tiafoe’s serve.

The two friends then embraced at the net, sorry that one would be left behind.

“He’s like a big brother to me,” Shelton said. “This is both of our favorite tournament in the world, our favorite court in the world. To be able to light it up in front of you guys is the best feeling that there is.”

Tiafoe took a seat. Shelton extended his arms, celebrating in the center of the court, as the crowd stood and cheered.

A choice had been made.