An American man hasn't reached a U.S. Open final in decades. According to Rolling Stone, 23-year-old Ben Shelton is one match away from becoming the first American man to win the U.S. Open since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Shelton defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe in Friday's semifinal to reach Sunday's final against world No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev, who is seeking his second Grand Slam title of 2026. An American hasn't won the men's singles title here in over two decades.
The Larger Picture
Shelton's run offers a window into American men's tennis after years of watching its biggest names fall short at the sport's biggest stages. The last time an American man won here was before Instagram existed, before streaming, before tennis changed fundamentally. For younger fans discovering tennis through Netflix's breakout documentary series, Shelton represents a return to American competitiveness at the Grand Slams.
Zverev is playing with ruthless efficiency. A second major this year would solidify his position as the sport's dominant force heading into the final stretch of the season. It is the collision of two narratives: an American seeking redemption against an unstoppable player.
How to Watch Shelton vs. Zverev Free Today
The match airs Sunday, September 13 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on ABC, according to Rolling Stone. No cable subscription required.
DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling all stream ABC live and offer free trials. DirecTV's five-day free trial is Rolling Stone's pick, while Fubo offers a free trial with DVR recording built in. Sling costs $19.99/month if you decide to continue after the trial.
Tennis fans across India and globally are marking their calendars. If Shelton wins, it will be the dominant tennis story of the year, and evidence that American men's tennis has regained ground.
