Ben Shelton in US Open final, eyes Slam history

What he has chosen is to forge a path for himself, and find his place in the annals of tennis history. On Friday night, inside a buzzing Arthur Ashe Stadium, in front of a packed crowd in the world’s biggest tennis stadium, the world No.9 got himself within touching distance of one of the sport’s four big peaks.

Shelton battled and entertained for three hours and 17 minutes against good friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe (also a Black player) before eventually winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-final.

“Frances is like a big brother to me,” Shelton said moments after their long embrace at the net. “Every time we take to this court together, it is super special. This is where we want to be – at the tail end of the tournament. This is our favourite tournament and favourite court in the world.”