Ben Shelton delivered the biggest win of his career Tuesday, stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal. The eighth-seeded American survived a final-set tiebreak to win 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in 4 hours, 28 minutes. Shelton’s booming serve repeatedly rescued him in pressure moments against the second seed.
Alcaraz fought back after losing the second and third sets, forcing a deciding tiebreak inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton closed the match with a 146-mph ace at 3:33 a.m. The victory ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak. Shelton later defeated Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal and advanced to his first Grand Slam final against Alexander Zverev.
Shelton turned his biggest weapon into the difference
Shelton entered the quarterfinal with strong momentum. He had won the Canadian Open in August and arrived in New York as the top-ranked American man, while his first four rounds included victories over Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Against Alcaraz, the serve became even more important. Shelton produced 34 winners and used his left-handed delivery to create pressure, while his aggressive play helped prevent Alcaraz from settling into a consistent rhythm.
The match swung sharply after the opening-set tiebreak. Alcaraz took the first set 7-6(5), but Shelton responded by winning the second and third sets 6-1 and 6-3. Alcaraz recovered in the fourth, winning it 6-1, but Shelton kept his composure in the deciding set and won the final-set match tiebreak 10-7.
Shelton became the first American man to defeat Alcaraz at a Grand Slam. The result also gave Shelton his first career victory over a Top-3 opponent after entering the match 0-17 against players ranked inside the Top 3.
Alcaraz found a way back into the fight
Alcaraz’s response in the fourth set showed why the defending champion remained dangerous deep into the match. After struggling for stretches in the second and third sets, he regained his level and forced Shelton into longer rallies.
The Spaniard then raised his level again in the fifth set. Alcaraz said afterward that he began feeling better physically as the decider progressed, and he managed to take the match to a 10-point tiebreak after the long battle.
Shelton held his nerve in the deciding breaker and produced the 146-mph ace that sealed the victory at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in US Open history.
Alcaraz gave Shelton full credit afterward, calling him “a beast” and praising his performance. The Spaniard also said he left the court happy and healthy after returning from a four-and-a-half-month absence caused by a right wrist injury.
The late finish added another layer
Alcaraz’s response in the fourth set showed why the defending champion remained dangerous deep into the match. After struggling for stretches in the second and third sets, he regained his level and forced Shelton into longer rallies.
The Spaniard then raised his level again in the fifth set. Alcaraz said afterward that he began feeling better physically as the decider progressed, and he managed to take the match to a 10-point tiebreak after the long battle.
Shelton held his nerve in the deciding breaker and produced the 146-mph ace that sealed the victory at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in US Open history.
Alcaraz gave Shelton full credit afterward, calling him “a beast” and praising his performance. The Spaniard also said he left the court happy and healthy after returning from a four-and-a-half-month absence caused by a right wrist injury.
Fun fact: Before becoming a tennis star, Ben Shelton was a quarterback who once dreamed of playing professional football. His father has said the throwing motion he developed in football helped him build the powerful left-handed serve that became one of his biggest weapons.
Shelton’s breakthrough changes the American picture
The win gave Shelton his third career Grand Slam semifinal and his second at the US Open. He reached the semifinals in New York in 2023 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2025, establishing himself as a player capable of making deep Grand Slam runs.
His path through this tournament has been demanding. Shelton needed four sets against Griekspoor, Hurkacz and Shapovalov before defeating former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. He then survived more than 4 hours against Alcaraz.
Shelton’s next challenge was an all-American semifinal against Frances Tiafoe. He defeated Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach his first Grand Slam final.
The final also guarantees an American man will challenge for the 2026 US Open title. The United States has not produced a men’s singles Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open. Shelton will face Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.
TL;DR
- Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
- The match lasted 4 hours, 28 minutes, and ended at 3:33 a.m.
- Shelton hit the deciding 146-mph ace and ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
- Shelton reached his third Grand Slam semifinal and will face Frances Tiafoe.
- The all-American semifinal guarantees a U.S. player in the 2026 US Open men’s final.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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