Historic All-Black U.S. Open Semifinal Puts Two Black Men Face-to-Face
NEW YORK (BAMM Network) — Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton will meet Friday in a historic U.S. Open semifinal, becoming the first two Black American men to face each other in a Grand Slam semifinal during the Open Era.
The matchup guarantees that a Black American man will reach the U.S. Open final for the first time since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Shelton, seeded No. 8, advanced after upsetting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal that ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in tournament history. Tiafoe, seeded No. 11, reached the semifinals after rallying from two sets down to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen.
The moment adds another chapter to a rivalry that has already produced history. In 2023, Tiafoe and Shelton became the first two Black American men in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals of the same Grand Slam, with Shelton winning their U.S. Open matchup. A year later, they met again at Flushing Meadows.
“It’s great with two people of color going at it. Obviously a historic moment,” Tiafoe said after their 2023 meeting.
Friday’s semifinal carries even more significance because one of them will join Ashe and MaliVai Washington among the Black American men to reach a Grand Slam final.
Coco Gauff, who also advanced to the women’s semifinals this week, praised the significance of seeing both men reach this stage and said their success reflects the growing presence of Black players in elite tennis.
For Tiafoe and Shelton, though, the history will quickly give way to competition.
Only one can advance to Sunday’s final.
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