John McEnroe responds when asked if he thinks Frances Tiafoe will ever win a Grand Slam after losing US Open semi-final

Tonight’s all-American US Open semi-final did not disappoint, and although we did not get the five-set thriller that many hoped for, it was still a hugely entertaining clash between two of the sport’s most energetic and affable individuals.

In the end, it was Ben Shelton who emerged victorious, deservedly securing his spot in his first-ever Grand Slam final.

Meanwhile, for Frances Tiafoe, yet another opportunity passed him by.

And, with Jannik Sinner having withdrawn before the event had even begun, and Carlos Alcaraz having been knocked out too, the opportunity was there for the taking.

Shelton is just one win away from achieving exactly that.

John McEnroe, calling the match live for ESPN, has since offered his post-match analysis and touched on everything from how the 23-year-old will be feeling ahead of this final to whether Tiafoe will ever get a better chance to win a major.

He began with Shelton and Tiafoe’s post-match hug, with the latter having scrambled over the net to properly embrace his good friend.

McEnroe then theorised: “Yeah, you saw that mutual respect, and I bet you what he was saying is, don’t lose to Zverev now; you win this thing if you’re gonna beat me.”

The American tennis legend then turned his attention to Shelton: “What a tremendous, tremendous effort by this man again, once again, Ben Shelton.

“Team Shelton, congratulations.

“I’ll go back one time, the first time I ever played Bjorn Borg, I beat him, and, you know, I was celebrating. Oh my God, I beat Bjorn Borg! But I was like, I gotta play another match. You don’t want to lose after that.

“And that’s sort of what Shelton was up against. Beat Alcaraz, unbelievable! But I still have work to do. And he did it. He played fantastic again.”

McEnroe was then asked whether Tiafoe will ever reach that elusive Grand Slam final, or even win an entire event.

His response was coy and noncommittal: “That’s harsh for Frances, but listen, you know, when you go down two sets, two matches, and have to battle, I don’t care if you have a week off. Two days, yeah, it can help. It did help, but maybe not enough, and, you know, you’re talking about one of the most skilled players. Shelton’s coming into his own big time here.

“Shelton is in absolutely fantastic shape. Give it up for Frances Tiafoe.

“Oh, it’s gonna be a big ask, but he’s, I think, now eighth in the world after this tournament, and so, you know, please look at the bright side, Mr Tiafoe.

“I know this is a harsh loss. That guy, Ben Shelton, played a whale of a match.”

Shelton has since praised Tiafoe for boasting a trait that is abnormally good. Sadly, on this occasion, it was not enough to secure the win.

This marked Tiafoe’s third appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final and, in keeping with his improved form when playing on home soil, all three have come at the US Open.

However, sadly, he has been unable to convert any into wins, and therefore that major final still eludes him.

The American first reached this stage in 2022, when he lost to the eventual champion, Carlos Alcaraz. He then became the youngest-ever world number one, and has since won another six major titles. Tiafoe can be excused for losing that five-set thriller.

Then, in 2024, he faced another all-American affair, but was sadly overcome by Taylor Fritz, again in five sets.

This one stung, particularly given he led by two sets to one.

And now, Shelton has added another disappointing Arthur Ashe Stadium memory, having done what Tiafoe could not on the second time of asking.