The semi-finals will take place on Friday, September 11, with the two matches scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev and Khachanov will meet in the first semi-final before Shelton and Tiafoe contest the second.
Zverev chasing another Grand Slam final
Top seed Alexander Zverev has emerged as the highest-ranked player remaining in the men's singles draw and enters the semi-finals with a major opportunity to add another Grand Slam title to his career.
The German, who won the 2026 French Open, advanced to the last four after overcoming Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarter-finals. His run has further strengthened his position as one of the leading contenders for the title in New York.
Standing between Zverev and a place in the final is Karen Khachanov, who reached the semi-finals after Alexander Blockx retired during their quarter-final encounter.
The match will also renew memories of their previous high-profile meeting at the Tokyo Olympics, where Zverev defeated Khachanov in the final.
Shelton and Tiafoe make American tennis history
The second semi-final carries a special significance for American tennis.
Ben Shelton, the eighth seed, will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, in a Grand Slam semi-final featuring two Black American men for the first time in the Open Era.
Shelton produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarter-final.
The 23-year-old American recovered after losing the opening set to beat the second seed 6–7(5), 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(10–7) in a marathon that lasted four hours and 28 minutes.
The match ended at 3:33 a.m. local time, making it the latest finish in US Open history. Shelton also ended Alcaraz's 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam competition.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, battled back from two sets down against fellow American Alex Michelsen to reach his third Grand Slam semi-final.
The 11th seed prevailed 5–7, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3, 7–6(10–6) in another five-set thriller, ensuring that an American man would feature in the US Open final for the first time since the current generation began challenging for the major titles.
A chance to end America's Grand Slam drought
The Shelton-Tiafoe semi-final carries an even greater significance because American men's tennis has endured a lengthy wait for another Grand Slam singles champion.
Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a men's singles Grand Slam title, claiming the 2003 US Open crown.
One of Shelton or Tiafoe is now guaranteed a place in the 2026 US Open final, giving American tennis a major opportunity to end that drought.
The pair have already shared a memorable history at Flushing Meadows, having met in the 2023 US Open quarter-finals. Since then, Tiafoe has reached another US Open semi-final, while Shelton has established himself as one of the leading young American players and won two Masters 1000 titles.
When are the US Open men's semi-finals?
The men's singles semi-finals will be played on Friday, September 11, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
• Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov: 3:00 p.m. local time
• Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe: 7:00 p.m. local time
The US Open men's singles final is scheduled for Sunday, September 13.
With the defending champion already eliminated and Jannik Sinner absent from the tournament, the 2026 US Open will crown a new men's singles champion.
For Shelton and Tiafoe, however, Friday's semi-final represents more than a place in the final. It is an opportunity to write another important chapter in American tennis history.