US Open semifinals Live Updates: Shelton dominates Tiafoe in 3rd set, Zverev in final

Q: This week, you won back-to-back five-setters to start the tournament. Since then, you haven’t dropped a set. Did something click for you at the start of the third round here?

A: Yeah. After the second round, at about 3 a.m., I was sitting with my team in the locker room and we were actually laughing at how badly I was playing. That kind of sense of humour helped me. The next day, on the practice court, I started feeling the ball a lot better. Then, moving forward, I was playing much better tennis. I obviously have improved a little bit; otherwise, I would not be in the US Open final, I think.

Q: You’ve been at the very, very top of the game now for a while, but this year you’ve made back-to-back-to-back finals at the majors, including the win at Roland Garros. Has something changed this year compared to maybe the last four or five years for you?

A: Yeah. At the end of last year, I did your podcast, which is called Nothing Major, and then I decided to have some majors in me because I didn’t want to do that podcast again.

No, but look, sometimes things just go your way, and I feel like I’ve had a lot of struggles at the major level. I was so close so many times, and maybe this year God has said that this is going to be your year. I’m just enjoying the time when I’m on the court, and I’m enjoying it. I love playing these big finals, and I can’t wait for Sunday.

Q: And finally, on Sunday, you’re going to play an American on this court. The atmosphere is going to be incredible. I’m not sure how much crowd support you’re going to have, but are you looking forward to what’s going to transpire on this court on Sunday, playing an American in the final?

A: Yeah, I think it’s going to be incredibly special. Especially these two guys, Frances and Ben, they’re crowd favourites here in New York. Everybody loves them, and I think tonight is going to be an absolutely epic semi-final. I’m looking forward to watching it and, yeah, hopefully I can make the American dream come true on Sunday.

Q: Are you going to watch that match tonight?

A: Yeah, of course. Everybody will.