Frances Tiafoe in Tears After Ben Shelton US Open Semi-Final Defeat
Frances Tiafoe broke down in tears after losing to Ben Shelton in four sets in the US Open 2026 semi-final.
Frances Tiafoe's US Open 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak as the American lost to Ben Shelton in the semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Tiafoe won the opening set 6-4 but could not maintain his advantage, eventually falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 after more than three hours.
Shelton responded strongly in the second and third sets, combining a powerful serve with aggressive baseline play to take control. The third set featured a marathon final game with seven deuces and three set points before Shelton closed it out 6-3.
Tiafoe fought hard in the fourth set and stayed level until the closing stages. Shelton secured the crucial break at 6-5, with Tiafoe's second double fault of the match handing his fellow American victory.
The emotional ending was especially painful for Tiafoe, who was seen covering his face with a towel and crying as he walked through the players' tunnel after the defeat. The loss marked his third US Open semi-final defeat, with all three of his Grand Slam last-four appearances coming at Flushing Meadows.
Shelton, who had previously reached the US Open semi-finals in 2023, will play Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final. The result will lift Shelton to a career-high No.4, while Tiafoe will rise to No.8 in the ATP rankings.
