Shelton ready to solve Grand Slam puzzle at US Open

New York: Ben Shelton believes his newly acquired problem-solving skills can carry him to a maiden Grand Slam title when he faces Alexander Zverev in the final of the US Open on Sunday. ipltable.lol

The big-serving 23-year-old powered into the first major championship final of his career on Friday after muscling his way past close friend Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final.

The eighth-seeded Shelton was in irresistible form as he stormed to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 victory in front of a raucous home crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was another impressive milestone on Shelton's journey through this year's tournament, which included an epic five-set victory in the quarter-finals over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Shelton, who blasted 20 aces in Friday's semi-final win, said his success at Flushing Meadows this year has been based on his ability to align brain with brawn.

"I think that problem-solving has been the name of the game here," said Shelton, who had never beaten Alcaraz in three previous meetings before his last-eight triumph over the Spanish star.

"It's been a lot of uphill battle, so I think that I'm fully ready for the challenge to problem-solve," Shelton said.

"I feel that I'm a different player. I feel like I have so many more tools. I feel like I know my identity, am comfortable in my own skin, and I know what it takes for me to be playing top-level tennis.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge, being able to problem-solve on Sunday. I know what I'm up against, and I'm also the most confident I've ever been in my game.

"For me, this whole tournament now at this point has been uncharted territory. I'm in positions I've never been in before. I've beaten guys that I have never beaten before. I'm just excited to put it all out on the line."

Shelton is now one win away from becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam title in 23 years. The last player to lift a major was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

He is adamant he will not be burdened by the weight of history in Sunday's final.

"I think that I handle these big situations in my career pretty well," Shelton said. "I feel that confidence and belief take over.

"The nerves are always there. It's something that you got to kind of lean into. The nerves are as much there in the first round for me as in the semi-finals, and I'm sure that the finals will be the same.

"It's something you've got to be able to overcome, but for me I'm having fun, you know? This is an enjoyable moment for me and knowing that I can leave it all out there on the court and push myself to the absolute limit is an exciting, exciting thought."

Madrid: Championship leader Kimi Antonelli stayed on top for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in Saturday's extended crash-hit third and final practice ahead of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old Italian clocked a best lap in one minute and 32.797 seconds to outpace the Monegasque by 0.166 seconds ahead of both McLarens in a session that saw seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton slam into the barriers in the second Ferrari.

Hamilton's crash led to a red flag stoppage that lasted 54 minutes and rendered an extra quarter of an hour added, as the drivers' continued to explore the limits of the new high-risk Madring circuit, dubbed a 'car-killer' in many quarters.

In the end, Antonelli's pure talent took him clear again with Leclerc second ahead of Oscar Piastri and world champion Lando Norris with four-time champion Max Verstappen taking fifth for Red Bull in the final minutes.

George Russell was sixth in the second Mercedes, seven-tenths off his team-mate's pace, ahead of Liam Lawson in the second Red Bull, Nico Hulkenberg of Audi, Hamilton and Gabriel Bortoleto in the second Audi.

After a crash-free opening hour on Friday, the second produced one crash - for Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad, who returned to take 14th place, and the third delivered two as Oliver Bearman also hit the barriers in his Haas in the final minute.

After a slow start, Ferrari had joined the fray on softs and clocked immediate fastest laps before a hasty Hamilton slammed into the barriers.

The 41-year-old Briton locked up at the final corner after 24 minutes, breaking his front wing which was stuck under the car as he reversed successfully and began to return to the pits. The session was red-flagged.

Race engineer Carlo Santi realised and asked him to "stop in the safest place possible" but Hamilton was not keen to obey. He replied, saying "if I can make it back, I will. If not, I will do it safely".

Told he had a right front puncture and told again to stop, he finally pulled up, knowing he had ignored orders, driven in an unsafe condition and probably faced a penalty. It was, he knew, a bad incident for him.

With 15 minutes remaining, Race Control stopped the timer to allow a final quarter of an hour action once repairs were completed.

This was a rare occurrence as F1 does not usually allow for additional time, except for qualifying sessions, but it guaranteed a frantic finale for a sell-out crowd basking in the sun with the young Italian jousting with Leclerc.

Barcelona: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick warned his players Saturday that any drop in focus could bring them crashing back down to earth after a spectacular start to the season.

The Spanish champions have won all five matches they have played across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three, ahead of Sunday's visit to face Levante in La Liga.

"We know in football things can change very fast. I like that we are enjoying the situation (right now)," Flick told reporters.

"If we change something from this attitude we'll go in the wrong direction and this is what we don't want."

Barcelona's attacking stars, including Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, have shone in recent weeks, netting five goals against Feyenoord in the Champions League, as well as against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Elche in the Spanish top flight.

"We're very happy we are playing on this level but we know that we have to show it in every game," Flick continued.

"We know we have huge quality but... we (also) have things we're doing that are important for us, when we keep the intensity high, we are focused and we are active."

Barcelona's main goal this season is to win the Champions League, which they last managed in 2015, but Flick said president Joan Laporta was also keen on claiming a third straight La Liga title.

"I spoke with the fans, with the people in Barcelona, this year we have to win the Champions League and of course this is a dream for us, this is our objective to win this," added Flick.

"The president also said that La Liga is also important, and to win La Liga three times in a row, it would be amazing."

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