Coco Gauff admits she never imagined she would see an all-Black men’s semi-final at the US Open 2026. Now, 58 years after Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the US Open, Gauff, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are all into the final four at Flushing Meadows.
The 22-year-old Gauff reached the women’s singles semi-finals on Wednesday after fighting back from a set down to beat Mirra Andreeva. Hours earlier, Shelton and Tiafoe had completed their own trips into the last four, setting up a historic all-American semi-final on Friday.
The achievement was not lost on Gauff when she was asked about the significance of having three Black American players in the US Open semi-finals.
“On the men’s side, I never thought I would have the chance to see an all-Black semi-final between the guys in my lifetime,” Gauff said.
“Even growing up, just look at who was playing, I just never thought that that would be able to happen. To have also me in the semis, I think it’s really cool.”
Coco Gauff on Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, & herself all being in the semifinals 58 years after Arthur Ashe won the U.S. Open, ‘I never thought I’d have the chance to see an all black semifinal between the guys in my lifetime… To have also me in the semis, I think it’s really… pic.twitter.com/KFRBaYeo6n
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2026
The timing carries even greater meaning. September 9 marked 58 years since Ashe won the US Open in 1968, becoming the first Black man to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era.
Shelton and Tiafoe will now meet on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the winner moving into the US Open final.
Coco Gauff Praises Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe
Gauff has plenty of respect for both players and said she would simply be hoping for a good match.
“Obviously I have so much respect for both Ben and Frances, so I’m just rooting for a good match, and hopefully whoever wins can bring it home,” she said.
Ben Shelton scores the biggest win of his career and a spot in the US Open semifinals! pic.twitter.com/2PCndRLcpL
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2026
Shelton and Tiafoe are already familiar with the moment. They became the first Black American men to meet at a Grand Slam semi-final in the Open Era after reaching the last four in New York.
Their meeting also follows their 2023 US Open quarter-final on Arthur Ashe Stadium, when Shelton became the first of the pair to win a Grand Slam encounter there.
Tiafoe has since reached another US Open semi-final in 2024, while Shelton has added two Masters 1000 titles to his growing resume.
Tiafoe Inspired Gauff’s Own Comeback
Tiafoe’s fighting spirit also helped Gauff during her quarter-final against Andreeva.
Gauff saved two match points before completing a remarkable comeback, and she admitted that watching Tiafoe battle past Alex Michelsen the previous day gave her extra motivation.
“Frances is such a light and such a joy to have on tour,” Gauff said.
😂 JAJAJA, QUE TIPAZO ES FRANCES TIAFOE.
🗣️ “Todos estaban dormidos durante el primer par de horas, yo estaba como: ‘¿Qué está pasando?’. La verdad, estaba dormido con ustedes”. pic.twitter.com/LY2R3cE2iW
— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) September 9, 2026
“He’s a special type of person, and I think that everybody, almost everybody on tour, can agree that he’s one of the few players who is always lighting up the room.”
Gauff will now face second seed Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, while Shelton and Tiafoe will fight for a place in the men’s final.
(With inputs from Reuters)
