US Open: Star to be stripped of ranking points as Ben Shelton explodes in outburst
Following the men’s semi-finals on Friday night, we now have the full line-up for the 2026 US Open singles finals, with Alexander Zverev taking on Ben Shelton and Aryna Sabalenka going up against Elena Rybakina. It’s the women’s turn first, with Sabalenka and Rybakina facing off in their third hard-court final of the year.
A victory for Sabalenka would mark her third consecutive US Open title, while Rybakina is aiming for a second Grand Slam crown of 2026, having won the Australian Open at the beginning of the year. Play is expected to get underway around 9pm UK time for that one.
Meanwhile, Shelton came through the battle of the Americans, beating Frances Tiafoe for a place in his first-ever Grand Slam final. With Zverev having made it three major finals in a row by beating Karen Khachanov in the earlier semi-final on Friday. Here, Express Sport brings you the latest.
Ben Shelton loses rag with umpire in semi-final
Ben Shelton lost his rag with an umpire during the US Open semi-final.
Aurelie Tourte allowed his opponent Frances Tiafoe to replay a point.
Shelton was unhappy and went up to the umpire’s chair, saying she called the retake too late.
Tourte said the Tiafoe put his hands up, allowing for the retake.
Shelton, unhappy, said: “Why did you not say something then? How are you going to call it after. You’ve got to say something immediately.
Tennis star at risk of losing ranking points
Alex Eala is reportedly unlikely to get a WTA exemption for the Asian Games, meaning the tennis ace is likely to be docked ranking points.
The Filipino is looking to skip the mandatory WTA 1000 event in China for the Games in Japan.
Eala’s fellow Southeast Asian player and world No. 36 Janice Tjen of Indonesia announced that the WTA denied her exemption request.
Tjen said in an Instagram post: “After a lot of consideration, I’ve had to make the difficult decision that I won’t be able to compete at the Asian Games this year which take place at the same time as the mandatory WTA 1000 event in Beijing.
“We have received confirmation from the WTA that unfortunately, I have not been granted an exemption to compete at the Asian Games.
