Ben Shelton has the chance to make history when he takes to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday for the US Open final.
The 23-year-old star can become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to hoist a Grand Slam singles title, ending the infamous drought.
Shelton reached his first major final after beating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in four sets, and will now have to battle past Alexander Zverev for the US Open title.
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Prior to knocking out Tiafoe, Shelton dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, earning the biggest win of his career.
Shelton has earned a pair of hard-fought wins in the last two rounds, during which Roddick has noticed a big difference in his game.
Andy Roddick reacts after Ben Shelton reaches the US Open final
“Ben’s focus the last two matches has been different,” said Roddick, reacting to Shelton’s wins in an episode of ‘Served‘.
“It has been head down, he has been a little mean looking, not as jokey, not as much of a laugh. He has been a full adult in the last two matches.
“It’s smouldering intensity. I love it. He had his head down against Alcaraz. He had his head down against Foe.”
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Speaking about the crowd during Shelton’s match with Tiafoe, Roddick said: “It was weird. I don’t know if I have been to a sporting event where there was more excitement about the event with less clarity about how we were going to act.
“I think they were both trying to manufacture some energy, but it was this weird thing where [the crowd] was full of pride and hope. We definitely were not cheering against anyone.
“You were cheering for good tennis, and you like both of them, but it will be different on Sunday!”
Alexander Zverev joins big four, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
In the other semifinals on Friday, Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov in straight sets to reach his second US Open final.
His victory secured a third consecutive Grand Slam final, with the German having won Roland Garros earlier this year before reaching the title bout at Wimbledon.
Zverev is now the seventh player this century to make three major finals in a row, joining an elite club of stars.
The other six to have managed the feat are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz.
Zverev also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, where he was one service game away from making the final.
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