A Night New York Will Never Forget
Ben Shelton delivered a performance that will be talked about for years, defeating Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a breathtaking quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium that concluded at 3:33am local time. That finish officially broke the previous US Open record, set by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their 2022 quarter-final, which had ended at 2:50am. The match did not even begin until after 11pm, delayed by three earlier matches that all went the full distance, including Frances Tiafoe's own five-set epic against Alex Michelsen. Yet the fans who stayed were richly rewarded over four hours and 28 minutes of relentless, high-quality tennis.
Shelton, 23 and seeded eighth, entered the contest having lost all three of his previous matches against Alcaraz and carrying an 0-17 record against top-three opponents. He overcame both statistics in spectacular fashion. After claiming control of the middle sets, he faced a resilient Alcaraz who, despite visibly struggling physically, including reportedly vomiting before the fifth set, refused to concede and pushed the match to a 10-point deciding tie-break. Shelton ultimately won it 10-7 to seal one of the most memorable victories of the 2026 season.
American Dream Alive in New York
Alcaraz had been making a remarkable comeback after more than four months sidelined with a wrist injury, having entered the tournament as a doubt. His campaign, which included a commanding win over Tommy Paul, exceeded expectations. But Shelton's power and the electric crowd support proved too much in the end.
With Tiafoe also through, the United States is guaranteed a men's finalist at the US Open for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. Shelton, who was not born when Roddick claimed that title, now advances to his third Grand Slam semi-final. TennisDraw users had widely backed Alcaraz to defend his crown, making Shelton's triumph one of the tournament's biggest bracket-busting moments.
