Ben Shelton claimed the biggest victory of his career early Wednesday morning, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set battle that concluded at 3:33 a.m. The match, which lasted four hours and 29 minutes, stands as the latest finish in the history of the US Open. Shelton emerged triumphant with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) scoreline, silencing the remaining crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure his place in the semi-finals.
The contest began at 11:04 p.m. on the tournament’s 10th day, serving as the dramatic conclusion to a day that featured four consecutive quarter-final matches decided in five sets. While Alcaraz struggled with his intensity early on, losing nine straight games at one point, he fought back from a deficit to force a decider. The 23-year-old Spaniard, playing in his first tournament following a four-and-a-half-month injury layoff, showed visible signs of fatigue, including vomiting into his towel during the fourth set.
Shelton, the eighth seed, maintained his composure throughout the match, utilizing his signature powerful serve and varied athleticism to counter Alcaraz’s defensive efforts. Despite squandering several key opportunities in the final set, Shelton held his nerve to close out the match. Reflecting on the encounter, Shelton praised his opponent, stating, “Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old. It’s always fun being on the court against him. It’s ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes. The most enjoyable match that I’ve had in my career, for sure.”
Alcaraz remained gracious in defeat, emphasizing that his primary goal for the tournament was to compete while healthy. “As I said before the tournament began, my expectation was to go there, compete, play in these kind of matches for me being healthy,” he noted. “I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.” He acknowledged Shelton’s performance, describing him as a “beast” and an “unbelievable player” who managed the pressure of the late-night environment effectively.
The match capped off a historic day of tennis at Flushing Meadows, where Aryna Sabalenka, Frances Tiafoe, and Jessica Pegula also navigated intense five-set comeback victories. The atmosphere remained electric until the final point, with thousands of fans staying through the night to witness the conclusion of the marathon match.
With Alcaraz eliminated, the tournament is guaranteed to crown a new champion. Shelton is now set to face his compatriot and friend Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. This matchup marks a significant moment for American men’s tennis, as the country seeks its first grand slam title since Andy Roddick’s victory 23 years ago.
Shelton expressed his appreciation for the competitive spirit shown by both players, regardless of the outcome. “It was just enjoyable to be a part of that match,” he said. “Obviously the level of tennis, how long the match was going, the fight that it was, how even of a match it was back and forth throughout, I think that that’s something that we can appreciate. Win or lose, we would have a smile on our face.” The report also notes that from his focused start, Alcaraz’s intensity had flatlined and he could barely put a ball in court. The report also notes that with the sun not long from rising over Flushing Meadows yet a half-full Arthur Ashe Stadium still hollering in unison until the end, Shelton ended Alcaraz’s reign with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1, after 4hr 29min and at 3.33am. The report also notes that every passing game imbued Carlos Alcaraz with greater despair, as the official 10th day of play in New York moved deeper into the remote hours of the new morning. The report also notes that the second seed, at orchestrating a monumental comeback was denied by a brave, defiant Shelton, the eighth seed, who refused to be shaken by his legendary rival or the looming prospect of securing the greatest win of career, the latest attempt by Alcaraz. The report also notes that the expectations surrounding Alcaraz had risen exponentially as the seven-time grand slam title winner attempted to defend his crown, in the aftermath of his dominant fourth-round victory against Tommy Paul. The report also notes that under such unique circumstances, he showed that he has the inner belief and resilience to rise to these occasions, this was a massive opportunity for Shelton and.
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