Ben Shelton Ends Alcaraz’s US Open Title Defence in 4-Hour, 28-Minute Epic

Ben Shelton produced the finest victory of his career by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a breathtaking 4-hour, 28-minute US Open quarter-final, ending the Spaniard’s title defence and advancing to the last four after one of the greatest night matches in the tournament’s history.

The 23-year-old American prevailed 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a contest that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, finally ending at around 3:33 a.m. local time, the latest finish ever recorded at the US Open.

For Shelton, it was more than a place in the semi-finals. It was his first career victory over a top-three opponent, snapping a 17-match losing streak against the world’s elite and announcing him as a genuine Grand Slam contender on home soil. as it happened

The match began with Alcaraz looking every bit the defending champion. The Spaniard edged a gripping 70-minute opening set in a tie-break, surviving Shelton’s relentless power and booming left-handed serve. But rather than fading, the American responded with remarkable composure, raising his intensity from the baseline and dominating the second and third sets with fearless attacking tennis.

Just when it appeared Shelton was in complete control, Alcaraz reminded Arthur Ashe Stadium why he is one of the sport’s great competitors. The world No. 2 stormed through the fourth set, breaking Shelton three times despite visibly struggling physically during the latter stages of the match. At one point, the Spaniard was seen vomiting into a towel during a changeover before returning to force a deciding set.

The fifth set became an exhibition of nerve. Shelton fought off break-point pressure with serves approaching 149 mph, while Alcaraz repeatedly produced spectacular defensive retrievals to keep the contest alive. Neither player could find the decisive break, sending the match into a 10-point tie-break where Shelton held his nerve, sealing victory with another thunderous unreturned serve as the remaining crowd erupted.

“This is probably the most enjoyable match I’ve ever played,” Shelton said after the victory, crediting the electric atmosphere and the guidance of his father and coach, Bryan Shelton. as it happened

The defeat also brought Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak to an end. The Spaniard had entered New York as defending champion after returning from a lengthy injury layoff and had looked increasingly dangerous with each round, but his quest for consecutive US Open titles ended in one of the season’s defining matches.

Shelton now advances to an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, guaranteeing the United States a place in Sunday’s men’s final as the nation continues its pursuit of a first men’s Grand Slam singles champion since Andy Roddick lifted the US Open trophy in 2003.

Beyond the upset itself, the marathon quarter-final has reignited debate over late-night scheduling at Grand Slam tournaments. With four consecutive deciding-set quarter-finals pushing the day’s programme deep into the night, players and former champions have questioned whether matches beginning close to midnight are sustainable. Yet for those who remained inside Arthur Ashe Stadium until dawn, Shelton and Alcaraz delivered a contest that instantly earned its place among the most unforgettable matches in US Open history.