'Bombshell' from the Alcaraz executioner towards the US Open final

The organization of US Open announced the ‘bombshell’. The radar image of the track showed the kick-off at 158 miles per hour, which is equivalent to more than 254 km/h. The fastest recorded serve in the history of the tournament and the Grand Slam. A reflection of the power with which the second semifinal was developing.

Under the popular uproar over the violence of the impact, comments arose that the German Sam Groth He had the record, in a Challenger in South Korea, at 263.4 km/h, which made the American’s value more reliable. Andy Roddick in Davis Cup, with a ‘cannon shot’ at 253 km/h.

Minutes later the US Open certified what Hawkeye had announced, that the serve had actually traveled 144 miles, about 232 km/h. that the American Ben Shelton was left without a record. He didn’t care, his ‘bombshell’ was to eliminate the champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals and maintain the competitive tension to overcome his compatriot Frances Tiafoe three days later.

The left-hander from Atlanta, 23 years old and world No. 9 (will be No. 4), defeated his friend from Maryland, 28 years old and No. 12, by 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and 7-5 in 3h.16′. A closing with a double fault from ‘Big Foe’, in his third failed semi-final.

The pride of the ‘Yankees’, the one chosen to succeed in the honors list Andy Roddick (2003)the last local hero in New York. Although his first Grand Slam final will coincide with the sixth, third in a row, of his expert opponent, the Roland Garros champion, the German Alexander Zverev29 years old and number 2.

Ben Shelton, to the final of the US Open, the first of his Grand Slam career at 23 years oldFrank Franklin II / Ap-LaPresse

The one from Hamburg suffered in the two opening rounds, he lived a hell of a lot of heart and stuck tennis. He improved, he didn’t have any more problems, not even in the semifinal that he beat the Russian Karen Khachanov by 6-3, 7-6 (7) and 7-6 (6).

Formed the USA vs. Europeon Sunday at eight in the afternoon Spanish peninsular time. The balance is in favor of Zverev 5-0 with Shelton, although they have not met this campaign, the change for both. The German took the blame for the missed chances in Grand Slam, the North American has stabilized emotionally, he has more frequently converted the old fireworks into torpedoes for his rival. It is no longer so much occasional noise as it is daily consistency.

Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reacts during the men's singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships against Ben Shelton, of the United States, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Frances Tiafoe, defeated for the third time in the US Open semifinalsFrank Franklin II / Ap-LaPresse

The expected Shelton-Tiafoe It provided electric moments, a fifteen-minute game with which the third set concluded, in favor of Ben, who had a hard time getting into the match. Logical after a feat like the one he signed against Alcaraz. As soon as he settled down, he handled a clubbing match more comfortably.

After Taylor Fritz beaten finalist in 2024 by Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton is introduced. Between him and Sascha Zverev is the new US Open champion. No surprise, a preferential option in the event forecasts. The American, growing, improving his 2023 semis and those of the 2025 Australian Open.

The European, in his natural position after winning Paris and being a finalist at Wimbledon. With the possibility of taking a coup that would end up giving him world number 1 in the coming months if he maintains the tone.