A historic all-American men’s semifinal between No. 8 seed Ben Shelton and No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe went to the younger Shelton, who rallied from a set down to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

On a somber day in the United States and New York City, the two countrymen went toe-to-toe in the second semifinal of the day. Entering Friday, the duo had combined for five US Open semifinals since 2022, but each was still seeking their first career grand slam final appearance.

Tiafoe and Shelton split the first two sets as the fans at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium settled in for what had the makings of an epic showdown.

The 23-year-old Shelton took command of the match in the third set, with two breaks to go along with a blistering serve. The final game of the set was a 15-minute bout that thrilled those in the stands. They saw seven deuces and four set points until Shelton finally got Tiafoe to hit an unforced error into the net to capture the lead and move within a set of Sunday’s championship.

Tiafoe would not go quietly into the New York night, however, as both players held serve deep into the fourth set.

The difference was that Shelton’s service games seemed stress-free. He made quick work of games he served, while Tiafoe had to work longer and harder to win his. Shelton put the pressure on while leading 6-5 in the fourth frame, forcing triple match point.

In desperate need of some magic, the fatigued Tiafoe double faulted, sending his second serve into the net and handing the clinching set to Shelton 7-5.

It was appropriate that the disparity in service skill decided the match. Shelton’s monster first serve was his powerful weapon all night. The younger player enjoyed a 20 to three advantage in aces in the match on the way to his four-set victory.

The electric crowd on hand to watch the thriller was filled with famous faces. Serena Williams, the 23-time grand slam singles champion, was in attendance. Hollywood star and New York sports superfan Ben Stiller was sitting alongside NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson of the Knicks. After the match, Shelton admitted that he had to stay extra focused after noticing the Knicks superstar in the crowd. And True Detective co-stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey took in the night’s action together.

The showdown was one for the history books for a multitude of reasons. This was the first time that two Black American men met in a US Open men’s singles semifinal.

With the win, Shelton will have the chance to become the first American to win the US Open men’s singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003. Shelton could make additional history by becoming the first Black American man to win the US Open since Ashe in 1968.

“He’s like a big brother to me,” Shelton said to ESPN when asked about the significance of Friday’s match against Tiafoe. “Every time we get to take this court together, Arthur Ashe, and play each other, it’s super special.

“This is where we want to be.”

Zverev might have won in straight sets but opponent Karen Khachanov put up a mighty fight in the first US Open semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 29-year-old defeated Khachanov 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6) earlier on Friday to book his place in his second career final in Flushing Meadows.

The match got off to an easy start for the men’s top seed.

He won the first set decisively 6-3 over Khachanov, as the Russian finished with almost twice the amount of unforced errors as Zverev in the opener.

But despite the first-set loss, the unseeded 30-year-old maintained his composure, forcing a second-set tiebreak with Zverev ultimately prevailing 7-6 (7).

It was more of the same in the third set with both players going back and forth, trading games.

Up 6-5 in the third set and trying to avoid a tiebreak, Zverev went to complain to the umpire about glare from the sun which drew the ire of the crowd on hand. The German went on to lose the game, prompting the second tiebreak of the match.

According to the ESPN broadcast, the glare was coming from the glass on the open suite doors inside the stadium.

With the issues with the apparent glare still affecting Zverev, he quickly fell into a 4-1 hole but rebounded to tie it up at 6-6 with a trip to the final on the line.

After getting to match point by saving two set points, Zverev put away Khachanov and will now look to avenge his first US Open final loss from 2020.

It is also Zverev’s third straight grand slam final appearance, winning his first career major at Roland Garros in early June.

Zverev understood his potential fate in Sunday’s title match, with the crowd most likely going to be pulling for the American winner from the night’s second semifinal.

“I think its going to be incredibly special,” Zverev told ESPN. “Especially these two guys, Frances and Ben, crowd favorites here in New York. Everybody loves them. … Hopefully I can not make the American dream.”

The men’s singles final will be played at 2 p.m. ET Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (CNN)