TENNIS: Shelton andam sa unang Grand Slam final batok kang Zverev

NEW YORK - Gipahayag ni Ben Shelton nga nalingaw siya sa bag-ong hagit human makaabot sa iyang unang Grand Slam final sa U.S. Open, ug giila sa American player ang iyang mas lig-on nga consistency isip hinungdan sa iyang maayong dagan sa New York.

Gipildi ni Shelton ang iyang isig-American nga si Frances Tiafoe, 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5, niadtong Biyernes aron makasulod sa final batok sa German top seed nga si Alexander Zverev. Mas napaduol usab siya sa pagtapos sa 23 ka tuig nga paghulat sa America alang sa men's singles Grand Slam champion sukad sa kadaugan ni Andy Roddick sa New York.

Tinguha usab sa 23-anyos nga mahimong unang Black American man nga makadaog sa New York title sukad ni Arthur Ashe niadtong 1968, apan kinahanglan una niyang mapildi si Zverev sa ilang ikaunom nga panagtagbo.

"This whole tournament at this point has been unchartered territory," matod ni Shelton sa mga reporter. "I'm in positions I've never been in before. I've beaten guys that I've never beaten before. I'm just excited to put it all out on the line.

"I can think about how cool this moment is and what I'm playing for. At the end of the day, I'm here in New York, I'm hanging out with my team, I'm with my homies playing a little bit of tennis and I've been able to downplay the moment well.

"I've got great people around me that keep me grounded and focused and humble, and I think these moments I want to cherish, I don't want to take lightly. But at the same time, it's very business-like the way I've been going about it."

Bisan giila ni Shelton ang kakulba nga dala sa pinakadakong duwa sa iyang career, gipahayag niya nga andam niyang atubangon ang higayon nga sulayan ang iyang kaugalingon batok sa top seed sa usa sa pinakadakong entablado sa tennis karong Domingo.

"The nerves are always there," dugang niya.

"It's something that you've got to lean into. The nerves are as much there in the first round for me as in the semis, and I'm sure the finals will be the same.

"It's something you've got to be able to overcome, but I'm having fun, you know? I'm playing against the number one seed, playing against a Grand Slam champion trying to get my first.

"It's a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me. Knowing I can leave it all on court and push myself to the absolute limit ... and see what I can do is an exciting thought."

-Ato ni Bai