The 2026 US Open has produced a landmark moment for American men's tennis, with Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe set to meet in the semi-finals.
Shelton reached the last four after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an extraordinary five-set battle, while Tiafoe recovered from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen.
Their meeting will be the first Grand Slam semi-final between two Black American men in the Open Era, according to Reuters.
The significance extends beyond the tournament itself, with both players representing a new generation of American tennis stars.
Gauff has also celebrated the achievement, saying she never expected to see an all-Black men's Grand Slam semi-final during her playing career.
The match also carries major sporting significance because American men's tennis has been searching for a Grand Slam singles champion since Andy Roddick's US Open victory in 2003.
One of Shelton or Tiafoe will now move one step closer to ending that long wait.
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