Ben Shelton produced one of the standout performances of this year's US Open, outlasting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6
Ben Shelton produced one of the standout performances of this year’s US Open, outlasting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in a gripping quarter-final battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium to book his place in the semi-finals.
The American, the highest-ranked home player left in the draw, came through a five-set rollercoaster that swung back and forth before he sealed victory in a deciding-set tiebreak.
Alcaraz, who arrived in New York having lost just one set through his first four rounds, took the opening set before Shelton hit back to level with a dominant 6-1 second set.
The pair traded blows through the remainder of the match with Shelton taking the third, Alcaraz the fourth — before the American held his nerve in a tense final-set tiebreak to close out the contest.
The result denies Alcaraz the chance to defend the title he won by beating Jannik Sinner in last year’s final, and improves Shelton’s head-to-head record against the Spaniard to 1-3.
The win sends Shelton through to a semi-final showdown with fellow American Frances Tiafoe, keeping the host nation’s hopes alive in the men’s draw.
It marks a huge scalp for the 23-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakout 2026 season, and continues his impressive run of form on home soil at Flushing Meadows.
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