US Open predictions and expert picks for tournament’s semifinal round

An American man hasn't reigned victorious at the US Open since Andy Roddick won in 2003, a decades-long drought that has dominated headlines in recent years. But the men representing red, white and blue have a good shot at putting an end to that streak with an American man guaranteed in the 2026 US Open final.

No. 8 Ben Shelton vs. No. 11 Frances Tiafoe both advanced to the semifinals, setting up an All-American showdown on Friday, Sept. 11 in New York. Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal match on Tuesday to move on, while Tiafoe completed a five-set comeback over Alex Michelsen.

No. 4 Coco Gauff was the last American to win the US Open in 2023. She advanced to the women's semifinal round, along with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who will be the new No. 1 after the tournament, and No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

From tournament favorites and proven champions to dangerous dark horses capable of bigger surprises, our experts give their takes on the men's and women's draws with predictions of the semifinal round:

Aryna Sabalenka hasn't been her dominant self, but she has…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/