On Friday, two of America’s top tennis players will battle for a championship spot at the 2026 US Open. World No. 9 Ben Shelton will take on Frances Tiafoe under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know to catch all the on-court action.
What time is the 2026 US Open men’s semifinal between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton?
Tiafoe and Shelton will play the semifinal match at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 11.
How to watch Frances Tiafoe vs. Ben Shelton
Tiafoe and Shelton’s semifinal match will air from 7 - 10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 11 on ESPN.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Ben Shelton head-to-head record, preview
Tiafoe and Shelton have played a total of four times over their careers, with Shelton leading their meetings three to one. The compatriots have met twice before at the US Open, splitting their wins. In 2023, Shelton overpowered Tiafoe in the quarterfinals, and in 2024, Tiafoe dismissed Shelton in their third-round spar.
How did Frances Tiafoe reach the US Open semi-final?
On his way to the 2026 US Open semifinals, Tiafoe defeated two seeded players, including No. 22 seed Valentin Vacherot and No. 11 seed Daniil Medvedev. He punched his ticket into the semifinals after coming back from two sets down against fellow countryman Alex Michelsen in a nearly five-hour thriller.
How did Ben Shelton reach the US Open semi-final?
Shelton bested multiple top 100 players on his road to the semifinal, including Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, and Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. In the quarterfinals, Shelton toppled defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an electric five-set fight.
Who would Tiafoe or Shelton face in the US Open final?
In the final, Tiafoe or Shelton would face the winner of the other men’s semifinal match between top seed Alex Zverev and world No. 50 Karen Khachanov.
When and where is the 2026 US Open men’s final?
The US Open men’s final will be played on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Who won the US Open last year?
Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open in 2025.
