Carlos Alcaraz’s quest for a repeat US Open title came to a dramatic halt in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as he fell to Ben Shelton in a grueling five-set quarter-final. The match concluded at 03:34 local time, marking the latest finish in the history of the tournament. A dedicated crowd remained in the Arthur Ashe Stadium to witness the four-hour and 28-minute contest, which did not commence until approximately 11 p.m. due to earlier scheduling delays.
Eighth seed Shelton secured the victory with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 (10-7) scoreline, clinching the final tie-break to move into his third major semi-final. Reflecting on the atmosphere, the 23-year-old American stated, “It is incredible, I always say that this is the greatest stadium in the world.” He added, “I’m just hoping my best friend and sister don’t have to be at work at 6am. It would be huge from their employers to let them have the day off.”
This win represents a career-defining moment for Shelton, who had previously failed to defeat a top-three player in 17 attempts and had lost all three of his prior meetings with Alcaraz. The result keeps alive the possibility of an American men’s singles champion in New York for the first time in 23 years, with Shelton set to face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals on Friday.
For Alcaraz, the loss snaps an 18-match unbeaten streak at Grand Slam events. The world number three was competing in his first tournament following a four-month absence due to a wrist injury. Despite his lack of match fitness, the Spaniard forced a deciding set and pushed the match to a 10-point tie-break, showcasing the resilience that had previously seen him win 28 of his 31 matches at Flushing Meadows—a record win rate exceeding 90% in the professional era.
Alcaraz, who last year became the first man since Roger Federer in 2015 to reach a final without dropping a set, struggled to maintain his intensity against the high-octane play of his opponent. Shelton, meanwhile, credited the persistent New York crowd for his endurance during the late-night battle. “For me it’s always about the people in the crowd – whether it’s my coaches and my team, all of my family and friends,” Shelton remarked. “The city of New York that showed up tonight until 3am, that’s what kept me going.”
Following his victory, Shelton stands as the second-highest ranked player remaining in the draw, trailing only world number two Alexander Zverev. The physical toll of the late-night marathon now leaves questions regarding his recovery ahead of the semi-final against Tiafoe, who advanced after staging a comeback from two sets down against Alex Michelsen. The report also notes that a large crowd remained captivated deep into the night as a modern classic unfolded over an unpredictable four hours and 28 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The report also notes that eighth seed Shelton basked in a standing ovation from a delirious audience after completing a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 (10-7) victory that will live long in the memory of all those still present, at its conclusion. The report also notes that this was the biggest – and certainly most significant – win of Shelton’s career. The report also notes that shelton was not born when Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003 – but an American finalist is guaranteed when he and Frances Tiafoe meet in Friday’s semi-finals. The report also notes that including sweeping past 20th seed Tommy Paul to reach the last eight, seven-time major winner Alcaraz had exceeded expectations on his return after more than four months out with a wrist injury. The report also notes that but the 23-year-old’s lack of match fitness appeared to finally catch up with him in a high-octane encounter filled with breathless exchanges and astounding displays of athleticism. The report also notes that while home hope Shelton had the vast support of the hardy crowd, Alcaraz has always felt at home at Flushing Meadows.
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