American tennis player Ben Shelton is set to compete in the men’s final of the 2024 U.S. Open after defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals on Friday. The 23-year-old will face the tournament’s top seed, Alexander Zverev, in a match that offers Shelton the opportunity to end a 23-year Grand Slam title drought for American men.

Shelton’s season has been marked by a mix of accomplishments and setbacks. The Florida native secured four ATP titles in 2024, the most in his career for a single season, but he has also experienced early exits at major tournaments, including two of the first three Grand Slams. His run to the U.S. Open final represents a potential turning point in what has been an uneven year.

Reflecting on his early loss at Wimbledon in July, Shelton identified mental lapses, inconsistent returning, and ineffective point construction as key factors that contributed to his defeat against Finnish player Otto Virtanen. Shelton had been leading 8-5 in the fifth-set tiebreaker but ultimately lost 11-9, marking his first-round exit and a rare lapse in three years of Grand Slam opening-round performances. The defeat prompted Shelton to reassess his approach and intensify his training.

Shelton’s father, Bryan, a former ATP Tour player who also coaches him, has emphasized a long-term perspective on Shelton’s development. The younger Shelton acknowledges his status as a “raw talent” still refining his game and is aware that his skills need to catch up with those of the top-ranked players. He described his mental growth since Wimbledon as crucial to his current confidence and performance.

Throughout the U.S. Open, Shelton has displayed both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. His powerful serve and aggressive shot-making have been hallmarks of his game, but he has also struggled with erratic play, particularly in early sets against highly ranked opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Shelton’s victory over Alcaraz in the quarterfinals was a standout achievement, followed by his win against Tiafoe, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level.

Earlier in the season, Shelton’s performance at Masters 1000 events was mixed, with his deepest run being the third round in Indian Wells. However, he defended his title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August without dropping a set, benefiting from conditions that suited his powerful serve and forehand. These performances helped bolster his standing as one of the more experienced players among a field increasingly populated by rising young talent.

Shelton enters the U.S. Open final without a career win against Zverev, having lost all five previous encounters with the German. Nonetheless, he hopes the lessons learned from previous defeats and his recent progress will carry him through what could be a defining match for his career. His journey from the disappointment at Wimbledon to a Grand Slam final illustrates both his talent and his ongoing development as he strives to fulfill his potential on the world stage.