American revival

Far be it from the Blob to say American men's tennis is back just because half the U.S. Open semifinal is 'Merican, but ... baby, American men's tennis is back.

This after the fist-pumping, screaming-to-the-heavens Ben Shelton knocked out defending champion (and best player in the world not named Jakob Sinner) Carlos Alcaraz in five epic sets the other night/early morning, finishing up at the zero-dark-thirty hour of 3:30 a.m. And this after the fist-pumping, screaming-to-the-heavens Frances Tiafoe rallied from a two-sets-to-zip hole to knock fellow American Alex Michelsen in five more epic sets.

Now they face one another in the finals, and if it won't exactly be Connors vs. McEnroe, it might stir a few echoes of same. Neither Shelton nor Tiafoe are as abrasive and obnoxious as Jimmy or Mac, but at least they play like they have a pulse. Energy and exuberance rolls off both of them like static electricity.

And if you're wondering what they've produced head-to-head ...

Well. They've faced one another four times, and Shelton's won three of them. Their last match happened in the Washington Citi Open last year, where Shelton won 7-6, 6-4.

I suppose that makes Shelton the favorite tomorrow.

I also suppose it won't be a straight-setter.

Here's hoping for another five-set thriller. American tennis deserves it.