A 23-year dry spell for American male tennis players at Grand Slam events may finally be coming to an end. Ben Shelton, who was not even a year old during Andy Roddick’s 2003 victory in Flushing Meadows, secured his place in a major championship match for the very first time. By advancing, the 23-year-old became the first Black American male athlete to compete in the tournament’s final round since Arthur Ashe accomplished the feat back in 1972. Standing between him and the crown this Sunday is top-seeded French Open champion Alexander Zverev.
The milestone came following a dramatic, four-set comeback victory against compatriot Frances Tiafoe on Friday evening. After dropping
