Brian Lewis Ben Shelton-Frances Tiafoe US Open semifinal represents something bigger than all-American matchup By Brian Lewis Published Sep. 10, 2026, 7:55 p.m. ET Ben Shelton of the US hits a return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their quarterfinals match in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2026 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR NEW YORK POST Friday’s U.S. Open semifinal between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe won’t just be a slice of history; it’ll be a peek into the future.
While no American man has earned any Grand Slam title since 2003, it’s been more than twice as long since a black man has won in Flushing Meadows, 58 years ago this week since Arthur Ashe’s U.S. Open triumph.
Now, Shelton and Tiafoe will play in a stadium bearing Ashe’s name. It will be the first time black men will face off in the U.S. Open semis, with one guaranteed a berth in Sunday’s final, and a chance to join Ashe in the history books.
“[Ashe’s legacy] means a lot. Without Arthur Ashe, my dad probably would’ve never been playing tennis or had the opportunities that he had to go so far in this sport. This sport has given my family a lot,” Shelton said last week. “It’s really cool to be able to recognize that and be a part of history every time, playing in a stadium with his name on it.
