Andy Roddick knows the main reason why Ben Shelton beat Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinal

Ben Shelton secured his first Grand Slam final appearance after defeating Frances Tiafoe at the US Open. 

Visit mchezo.life for more information.

Shelton came back from a set down to overcome his compatriot inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

The 23-year-old American became just the fourth left-hander to reach a Grand Slam men’s singles final this century, following Rafael Nadal, Goran Ivanisevic and Mariano Puerta. 

Shelton will take on top seed Alexander Zverev in the championship match, whom he has never managed to beat in five tour-level meetings.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Andy Roddick reacts to Ben Shelton’s win over Frances Tiafoe

Shelton and Tiafoe were contesting their third US Open clash, following quarterfinal and third-round bouts in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

They were tied one apiece at Flushing Meadows, but with a major final appearance up for grabs this time, Shelton emerged victorious.

Reacting to Shelton’s win on ESPN, former US Open champion Andy Roddick said: “Ben is in full flight right now. He is a lot to deal with. 148mph from the left hand side, short up the backhand. Ben looks great right now.

“The book on Ben used to be that you would want to make him work. Extend the rallies and the longer you could stay in it the better for you.

“But Carlos Alcaraz had a hard time doing that a couple of nights ago.

“The most natural pattern from Foe today was hitting that forehand to the backhand side. If he’s not getting an easy pattern like that, it’s going to be long.

“He was not getting his favourite pattern, simply. Ben’s weakness on the backhand side stood up tonight, and that is why Ben was the winner.”

Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA via Getty Images

Ben Shelton’s unwanted record ahead of the final

Shelton has by no means had an easy ride to the US Open final, with the world number nine having faced several top opponents.

In his first three rounds of the tournament, Shelton had to battle past two former Wimbledon semifinalists, Hubert Hurkacz and Denis Shapovalov.

Then, he had to beat former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had just knocked out Cincinnati Open champion Arthur Fils.

Shelton cruised past Tsitsipas in straight sets before earning the biggest win of his career against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, defeating the Spaniard in a five-set thriller.

A tough semifinal meeting with Tiafoe has meant that Shelton has now conceded the fourth most games of any man this century en route to a maiden Grand Slam final with 105 lost, according to Opta Ace.

Only Milos Raonic (108 at Wimbledon 2016), David Nalbandian (109 at Wimbledon 2002) and Marat Safin (110 at US Open 2000) have conceded more.

Read full story at source