Ben Shelton joins Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Medvedev in US Open men's semifinals

Unseeded Ben Shelton faces top-ranked Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals, bringing enthusiasm and a unique game style.

In the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday, one player stands out among the rest. Ben Shelton, an unseeded and 47th-ranked player, will be facing off against the top three seeded players in the tournament: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Daniil Medvedev. This is a rare occurrence, as it is the first time since 2011 that the top three players have made it to the final four at Flushing Meadows.

Shelton, a 20-year-old from Georgia, has yet to win a Grand Slam trophy, including the U.S. Open. In contrast, Djokovic has won 23 major championships, Alcaraz has won two, and Medvedev has won one. Djokovic has previously won the U.S. Open in 2011, 2015, and 2018, while Medvedev was the champion in 2021 and the runner-up in 2019. Alcaraz, the defending champion, is also a strong contender.

This will be Shelton's first major semifinal appearance, while Djokovic is competing in his 47th, surpassing Roger Federer for the most by a man in the Open era. Medvedev has reached the final four for the seventh time, while Alcaraz has made it this far in his fourth consecutive Slam.

Despite being the underdog, Shelton is not daunted by the challenge. He plans to bring a different and disruptive style of play to the table on Friday. Shelton's powerful left-handed serves, leading the tournament with 76 aces and a top speed of 149 mph (240 kph), will be put to the test against Djokovic, known for his exceptional return game and winning 44% of his opponent's service games in the tournament (Medvedev leads with 49%).

While Shelton acknowledges the mental and physical toughness of his opponent, he believes his unique playing style will give him an advantage. Having never played against Djokovic before, Shelton hopes to surprise him with his unconventional strategies.

Apart from his impressive serves and forehands, Shelton's boundless enthusiasm on the court is also notable. His flexing biceps, loud cheers of "Yeah!" after winning points, and victory-celebrating routine inspired by Grant Holloway, a former Florida track and field athlete, add to his charismatic presence.

Alcaraz, who will be facing Shelton in the semifinals, admires his playing style and enjoys watching him on the court. He acknowledges the challenge that Djokovic will face against Shelton and expects an entertaining match.

In conclusion, the U.S. Open semifinals will showcase an unexpected matchup between Ben Shelton and the top three seeded players. Shelton's unseeded status and lower ranking make him the underdog, but his unique playing style and unwavering enthusiasm make him a formidable opponent. The match promises to be exciting and unpredictable, with Shelton aiming to disrupt the dominance of the higher-ranked players.