Ben Shelton defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in an electric U.S. Open semi-final on Friday to secure a title showdown with Alexander Zverev.

On a poignant evening that began with commemorations marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Shelton came from a set down to beat Tiafoe 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5 and move closer to ending a 23-year American wait for a men's singles Grand Slam champion.

No home male player has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick triumphed in Flushing Meadows in 2003. Shelton will now have a chance to claim his maiden Grand Slam crown.

Earlier, Zverev booked his place in the final with a 6-3 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (8-6) victory against Karen Khachanov to move a step closer to a second Grand Slam title. The French Open champion had been pushed to five sets in each of his opening two rounds but has now won four straight matches without dropping a set, as he reached his third consecutive major final.