Ben Shelton is eyeing US Open history as he takes on Alexander Zverev in his first Grand Slam final

Ben Shelton (Image credit: Reuters) NEW YORK CITY: For Ben Shelton, New York has become a place of firsts.On Sunday, the 23-year-old will become the first black man to play in the US Open final since 1972, chasing the first Queens title by an American since Andy Roddick in 2003 and a black man since Arthur Ashe in 1968. All while making his first Grand Slam final.It’s a serious moment, but Shelton is careful not to make the occasion bigger than tennis.“I think I have great people around me who keep me grounded, focused and humble.However, there is a difference between making light of a moment and taking it lightly.“These moments that I want to cherish, I don’t want to take lightly. But at the same time, it’s a very business-like way that I’ve gone about it.”Shelton’s father, his coach and former tour pro Bryan Shelton, made history in 1991 when he became the first black American to win an ATP Tour title since Ash in 1978.The business approach is a sign of how much Shelton has changed.The explosive left-hander, who burst onto the Tour with a huge serve, a big forehand and a willingness to play by instinct, has begun to think more about everything that surrounds his tennis.“It’s emotions. It’s how I train. It’s how I practice. It’s how I compete, how I can focus. It’s sleeping habits, eating habits, everything,” Shelton said.He always considered himself a hard worker. The difference now, he says, lies in the details.“I’m most committed to my tennis career, being the best version of myself,” Shelton said.This growth has been repeatedly tested in New York.He went 0-1 against Stefanos Tsitsipas, 0-3 against Carlos Alcaraz and lost to Frances Tiafoe in five sets when they last played at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Still, he found a way through each one, overturning the kind of numbers that once whispered the odds were against him.Now there is another problem to solve.Top seed Alexander Zverev leads their head-to-head 5-0, with Shelton not taking more than one set of Zverev in five matches.“I’m a different player. I feel like I have a lot more tools. I’m comfortable in my own skin and I know what it means to play tennis at the highest level.”“Not that I go out every day and everything is perfect and clicks, but I think that’s what makes our sport so difficult and the beauty of our sport.”Shelton doesn’t pretend the moment is ordinary. He simply refuses to be overwhelmed by it.“I’m looking forward to the challenge of being able to solve the problem on Sunday,” he said. “I know what I’m up against and I’m also the most confident I’ve ever been in my game.As his celebratory phone signal says, Shelton is dialed.