Ben Shelton finds himself in unfamiliar territory as he prepares for his first Grand Slam final at the US Open. The American is set to face top seed Alexander Zverev on Sunday, aiming to make history as the first black American man to reach this stage since Arthur Ashe in 1972.

Shelton's journey has been remarkable, and he seeks to become the first home male player to win the title since Andy Roddick in 2003. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd is expected to rally behind him during this pivotal match.

Having taken advice from Rafael Nadal following a first-round defeat in Cincinnati, Shelton's preparations have been strategic. His coach and father, Bryan Shelton, emphasized the importance of bouncing back after both victories and defeats. He recalled Nadal's guidance about maintaining focus after a significant win, particularly after Shelton's impressive five-set victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

As Shelton acknowledges the nerves that accompany such a monumental match, he expresses excitement about testing himself against a top player. He stated, "The nerves are always there... I'm having fun, you know? It's a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me."

On the other side, Zverev, the French Open champion, has been in formidable form, winning four consecutive matches without dropping a set. He commented on the atmosphere he thrives in, stating, "For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great... I always enjoy these kind of atmospheres."

As the stage is set for an electrifying final, both players prepare to give their all in pursuit of glory.