Ben Shelton Stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Thrilling US Open Quarter-Final
Shelton's Historic Victory
File image of Ben Shelton(Photo: @BlackSpinGlobal/X)
New Delhi, Sep 9: In a stunning upset, Ben Shelton triumphed over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz with a score of 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10/7) during an exhilarating quarter-final match at the US Open.
This victory marked a significant milestone for Shelton, as he ended Alcaraz's impressive 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, achieving this feat in a grueling four-hour and 28-minute encounter.
The match concluded at 3:33 a.m., setting a new record for the latest finish in US Open history. The previous record was also held by Alcaraz, who had a dramatic five-set match against Jannik Sinner two years prior, finishing at 2:50 a.m.
Having recently secured his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal, Shelton's win against Alcaraz propels him into the semi-finals of this hard-court major for the first time since 2023.
Alcaraz, returning from a four-month injury hiatus, had only lost one set leading up to the quarter-finals before Shelton halted his title defense. The Spaniard was aiming for his eighth Grand Slam title and sought to become the first man since Roger Federer to successfully defend his US Open title.
Entering the quarter-finals with an 18-match winning streak at majors, Alcaraz's impressive run included his victory at the 2025 US Open and his title at the Australian Open earlier this year, making him the youngest player to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
Next, Shelton will face 11th seed Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals, with both players vying for their first appearance in a major final. Shelton currently leads their head-to-head rivalry 3-1.
Of their four encounters, two have taken place on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, with Shelton winning their quarter-final match in 2023 and Tiafoe claiming victory in their third-round match in 2024.