Sep 11, 2026 · 10 min
American men chase a historic U.S. Open final
SBJ Morning Buzzcast: September 11, 2026
The episode frames the U.S. Open men’s final as a chance for Ben Shelton or Francis Tiafoe to end a 23-year American drought.
- 1Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff exited the women’s semifinals, reshaping the U.S. Open finals picture.
- 2Ben Shelton or Francis Tiafoe will represent the United States in the men’s championship match.
- 3The weekend preview connects a pivotal tennis finale with a broader slate of football coverage.
Don't miss
The men’s final guarantees an American contender a chance to become the first U.S. male U.S. Open champion since 2003.
The brief
Abe Madkour opens with the U.S. Open’s reshaped finals picture after Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff were eliminated from the women’s semifinals.
The men’s final guarantees an American representative: Ben Shelton or Francis Tiafoe, with either player able to become the first U.S. male champion since 2003.
The episode widens its lens beyond the tournament, previewing a major weekend of tennis and football as the sports calendar converges.