U.S. Open 2026 men’s semifinals watch guide: Shelton vs. Tiafoe, Zverev vs. Khachanov

The 2026 U.S. Open men’s semifinals are set, with a Honey Deuce pitcher’s amount of history on the line.

Two Black American men are meeting in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in the sport’s history: Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe will be competing for an inaugural Grand Slam final berth. The winner will become the first Black man since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the second American man in two decades, to reach the U.S. Open final.

At the top of the bracket, No. 1-seeded Alexander Zverev can become the first man this century to win multiple Grand Slams in a year aside from the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and the new two of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Standing in his way is former world No. 8 Karen Khachanov, who is looking for his first major title.

How to watch the 2026 U.S. Open men’s semifinals

• Venue: Billie Jean King National Tennis Center — Queens, N.Y.
• Date: Friday, Sept. 11

ESPN is also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. The list of global broadcasters can be found on the U.S. Open website.

In the first semifinal, Khachanov will face Zverev in a rematch of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final. Zverev took home the gold, and he also won their sole Grand Slam meeting at the 2018 French Open.

Zverev dispatched Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to advance to his fourth consecutive major semifinal. The 2026 French Open champ has not lost a single set since two five-set battles to start this tournament.

Khachanov has spent significantly less time on court. The three-time Grand Slam semifinalist won his quarterfinal match against a hampered Alexander Blockx, who retired in the third set.

The second semifinal features two home-country favorites. Both Shelton and Tiafoe are recovering from five-set marathons decided by a super tiebreak.

Tiafoe got off to a slow start against fellow countryman Alex Michelsen. A poor serving performance from Tiafoe helped Michelsen secure an early two-set lead. But when the 22-year-old was serving to reach his first major semifinal, the moment got to him. Two double faults and a break of serve later, Tiafoe won seven straight games to spur a comeback that culminated in a fifth-set 10-point tiebreak.

The nearly five-hour affair at Arthur Ashe Stadium ended with an emotional embrace at the net between the two, with the 28-year-old booking a ticket to his third U.S. Open semifinal.

Shelton’s quarterfinal was equally dramatic. He defeated defending champion Alcaraz in the latest finish in U.S. Open history. Tweeners were hit. Big serves were clocked. Spectators erupted. And Shelton, after four and a half hours, notched his first win against the seven-time Grand Slam champ.

In their third U.S. Open meeting, both Shelton and Tiafoe have the opportunity to end the 23-year American men’s major drought and the 51-year drought for Black American men.

The winners of Friday’s semifinals will advance to the men’s championship on Sunday.

Updated U.S. Open men’s semifinals odds

Streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.