Fact Check: Did Ben Shelton hit 158 mph serve at US Open 2026?
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Ben Shelton secured a comeback win against Frances Tiafoe
Ben Shelton produced a jaw-dropping moment during his all-American US Open 2026 semi-final against Frances Tiafoe on Friday. The 23-year-old registered a serve that was initially clocked at a stunning 158 mph by the stadium radar at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
The moment arrived during the third set of Shelton’s match against Tiafoe. The former produced a blistering serve, with the latter barely managing to make contact with the racket before sending the return out of bounds.
The stadium radar displayed the speed as 158 mph. This would have made it the fastest-ever serve in US Open history at the time. In fact, it would have surpassed the officially recognised ATP serve-speed record and made Shelton the owner of the fastest recorded serve in ATP history.
However, this figure did not survive a review. Hawk-Eye, the computer-vision system used to track the ball, reviewed the serve, following which the speed was adjusted to 144 mph.
The USTA confirmed the corrected speed to The Athletic’s Lukas Weese, after which the US Open social media accounts posted the updated speed.
“After review, it came in at 144 MPH,” the US Open tennis X account wrote. “Still pretty fast.”
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Ben Shelton’s serve still the difference
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Despite the significant reduction in its official speed, Shelton’s 144 mph serve was no ordinary achievement. Known for his booming serve, he clocked 149 mph against Tiafoe and maintained exceptional consistency under pressure, averaging 119 mph compared to Tiafoe’s 104 mph through the opening three sets.
That firepower fueled his comeback after dropping the opener, as he battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 win to reach his maiden Grand Slam final, where he will meet Alexander Zverev of Germany on Sunday.
Did Ben Shelton hit a 158 mph serve at US Open 2026?
No. Shelton’s serve was initially clocked at 158 mph by the stadium radar, but Hawk‑Eye review corrected it to 144 mph.
Who holds the record for the fastest serve in ATP history?
The record belongs to John Isner, a serve clocked at 157.2 mph (253 km/h) in 2016.
What is Ben Shelton’s fastest ATP serve?
Shelton’s fastest serve has been measured at 151 mph (243 km/h) during the 2026 Washington Open.
Who will play in the US Open 2026 men’s singles final?
The final will feature Ben Shelton vs Alexander Zverev on September 13 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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