Frances Tiafoe’s US Open 2026 campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion as the American lost to compatriot Ben Shelton in the semi-final and was later seen leaving the players’ tunnel in tears. Shelton defeated the 28-year-old 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to book his place in his first Grand Slam final.
Tiafoe made the stronger start, taking the opening set 6-4 and putting Shelton under early pressure. However, the eighth seed gradually turned the match around with a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. Shelton claimed the next two sets 6-3 and 6-3 before the contest went down to the wire in the fourth.
The final game proved especially painful for Tiafoe. After more than three hours of intense tennis, Shelton secured the decisive break at 6-5, with Tiafoe committing a double fault on match point to bring the semi-final to an abrupt end. It was only his second double fault of the match. The two players embraced at the net, but Tiafoe’s disappointment was evident.
The American was subsequently filmed walking through the tunnel with a towel covering his face as he appeared to fight back tears. The defeat marked another difficult chapter in his US Open story, with all three of his Grand Slam semi-final appearances having come at Flushing Meadows. His previous semi-final run, in 2024, ended against Taylor Fritz.
Shelton, meanwhile, reached his first major final after previously making the US Open semi-finals in 2023. He will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, although the German has won all five of their previous meetings.
Despite the loss, Tiafoe is set to reach a career-high No. 8 in the ATP rankings. Shelton will also move to a new best ranking of No. 4 after reaching his maiden Grand Slam final. For Tiafoe, those milestones will provide little comfort after another missed opportunity at the US Open.
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