Historic US Open Upset
Ben Shelton Stuns Champion Carlos Alcaraz in Record-Late US Open Quarterfinal Thriller
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Shelton entered the quarterfinal on a strong run, going 13-2 during the North American hard-court swing after winning his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal; he improved to 38-13 for the 2026 season.
2
The match began after 11 p.m. ET because of a lengthy schedule of earlier matches, adding to the challenge of a contest that extended into the early morning.
3
Shelton will meet Frances Tiafoe with a 3-1 record in their rivalry, including a 2023 U.S. Open quarterfinal win for Shelton and a 2024 Flushing Meadows victory for Tiafoe; both players are pursuing their first major final.
4
Alcaraz was playing his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff, yet had dropped only one set before the quarterfinal, underscoring the scale of Shelton’s upset.
5
Shelton’s serve was a major factor late in the match, routinely exceeding 130 mph as he held to love and repeatedly forced Alcaraz to serve to stay in the fifth set.
Ben Shelton stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal, winning 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7). The match ended at 3:35 a.m. ET—the latest finish in US Open history Florida Today. Shelton, the eighth seed, claimed victory after more than four hours of play, guaranteeing an American man will reach the final.
Shelton will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal. This marks only the third time in 20 years that two American men have reached the US Open final stage together Herald Tribune. The victory caps Shelton's strong 2026 season: he improved to 38-13 overall and won his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal.
Shelton's Serve Dominates in Marathon Fifth Set
Shelton's game peaked when it mattered most. His serve repeatedly exceeded 130 mph in the final set, forcing Alcaraz to chase breaks NW Florida Daily News. Shelton held serve to love multiple times, putting immense pressure on Alcaraz to stay alive. The tiebreaker went 10-7, with Shelton converting his second match point after the grueling exchange.
Alcaraz Returns From Injury in First Tournament
Alcaraz had not competed in four months due to a wrist injury. He arrived at the US Open rusty but immediately competitive—he dropped just one set before facing Shelton Gainesville.com. The defending champion battled through physical exhaustion, reportedly vomiting multiple times during the match. Yet he could not overcome Shelton's power and precision in the late stages.
Record-Late Finish Reflects Tennis Scheduling Pressures
The 3:35 a.m. conclusion broke the previous US Open record set by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2022. The match began after 11 p.m. because earlier quarterfinals ran long Palm Beach Post. This schedule created a unique challenge: both players had to recover quickly before their next matches. The late finish raises fairness questions about tournament logistics and player health.
Shelton Eyes First Grand Slam Title, Breaking US Drought
Shelton's momentum is building at the right moment. His 38-13 record includes wins over top-10 players during the North American swing Florida Today. He holds a 3-1 rivalry record against Tiafoe and beat him at the 2023 US Open quarterfinals. If Shelton wins the final, he would end America's men's Grand Slam drought—the last US male champion was Andy Roddick in 2003.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
57
Articles
98
Reach
155
A
AnonymousAuthor
