Historic US Open Semifinal
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe Set for Historic All-Black US Open Semifinal Clash
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Key Points
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The Shelton–Alcaraz match lasted nearly four and a half hours and ended after 3:30 a.m. local time, making it the latest finish in US Open history. Gauff said she deliberately did not watch it because staying up could have hurt her preparation for her own quarterfinal.
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Gauff defeated Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 after saving two match points in the second-set tiebreak, while Tiafoe beat Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) and Shelton defeated Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
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The Shelton–Tiafoe match is the first Grand Slam men’s semifinal between two Black American players in the Open Era. The pair previously met in the 2023 US Open quarterfinals, which Shelton won; Tiafoe later reached another US Open semifinal in 2024.
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Since Arthur Ashe’s 1968 US Open triumph, only one other Black man—Yannick Noah, who won the 1983 French Open—has captured a Grand Slam singles title, underscoring the broader historical context of the semifinal.
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Gauff said she would not contact Shelton or Tiafoe during the tournament because she considers it a potential bad-luck omen and does not want to disrupt their momentum; she cited Madison Keys’ experience with Tiafoe as part of that reasoning.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are set to play in an all-Black men's semifinal at the 2026 US Open—a historic first in tennis. Coco Gauff, who advanced to the women's semifinals, said she never expected to witness this moment. The matchup comes exactly 58 years after Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the US Open in 1968.
Shelton reached the semis by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in a marathon match that lasted nearly four and a half hours and ended after 3:30 a.m.—the latest finish in US Open history. Tiafoe won his quarterfinal against Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6). Meanwhile, Gauff rallied past Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 after saving two match points.
Shelton Topples Alcaraz in Epic Late-Night Battle
Ben Shelton's victory over Carlos Alcaraz was stunning—he won 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7). The match consumed nearly four and a half hours and ended after 3:30 a.m. local time, making it the latest finish in US Open history. Coco Gauff deliberately skipped watching the match because staying up late could have hurt her own preparation for her quarterfinal the next day.
Gauff Edges Andreeva After Tiebreak Drama
Coco Gauff's path to the semifinals included a tense quarterfinal win over Mirra Andreeva. Gauff dropped the first set 2-6, then battled back to win the second set tiebreak 7-6(7) after saving two match points. She closed out the match 6-2 in the third set, sending her to the women's semifinals as the No. 4 seed.
First All-Black Men's Semifinal in Open Era
This is the first time two Black American men have faced each other in a Grand Slam men's semifinal during the Open Era. Shelton and Tiafoe previously met in the 2023 US Open quarterfinals, which Shelton won. Tiafoe later reached the US Open semifinals in 2024, showing both players have climbed the ranks of American tennis.
Since Arthur Ashe's historic 1968 US Open title, only one other Black man—Yannick Noah—has won a Grand Slam. Noah captured the 1983 French Open. This semifinal represents a watershed moment for Black representation in men's tennis and reminds the sport how rare these achievements remain.
Gauff Keeps Her Distance to Protect Momentum
Despite her admiration for both players, Gauff has not contacted Shelton or Tiafoe during the tournament. She believes reaching out could disrupt their momentum—a concern she takes seriously. Gauff cited Madison Keys' experience with Tiafoe as part of her reasoning to stay silent and let both men focus on their matches.
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