The 2026 U.S. Open men’s singles semifinals are set, and the tournament has produced a fascinating final four: Ben Shelton vs. Frances Tiafoe in an all-American showdown and Alexander Zverev vs. Karen Khachanov in the other semifinal.
Ben Shelton vs. Frances Tiafoe
This is the headline matchup—and a historic one.
No. 8 Ben Shelton reached his first U.S. Open semifinal by stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an extraordinary five-set battle, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7). The match finished at 3:33 a.m., the latest conclusion in U.S. Open history.
No. 11 Frances Tiafoe also needed five sets, rallying from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6). It will be Tiafoe’s third U.S. Open semifinal appearance.
Key battle
Shelton’s serve and explosive forehand against Tiafoe’s athleticism, creativity and ability to change pace.
Shelton has won three of their four previous meetings, giving him the statistical edge, but Tiafoe has considerably more experience playing on this stage.
What Shelton must do
Protect his first-serve percentage.
Attack Tiafoe’s second serve.
Keep points short after his exhausting quarterfinal.
Use his left-handed forehand to open the court.
What Tiafoe must do
Extend rallies and test Shelton physically.
Mix pace rather than allowing Shelton to dictate.
Take advantage of any fatigue from Shelton’s four-hour-plus quarterfinal.
Feed off the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
Prediction: Shelton in five sets.
Alexander Zverev vs. Karen Khachanov
The second semifinal features two powerful baseline players.
No. 3 Alexander Zverev advanced by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. Zverev is attempting to add a second Grand Slam championship to his résumé after winning the French Open earlier this year.
Karen Khachanov advanced after Alexander Blockx retired because of injury. That means Khachanov enters the semifinal with significantly less physical mileage than Shelton or Tiafoe.
The match should revolve around serve, return position and the backhand exchanges.
Zverev’s two-handed backhand remains one of the best weapons in men’s tennis, while Khachanov possesses the power to hit through opponents when he gets time on his forehand.
What Zverev must do
Keep Khachanov moving.
Attack the second serve.
Avoid extended periods of passive baseline tennis.
Use his superior return game to create pressure.
What Khachanov must do
Serve at a high percentage.
Attack Zverev’s shorter balls.
Keep points on his racket.
Avoid giving Zverev repeated opportunities in long backhand exchanges
Prediction: Zverev in four sets.
