Ben Shelton defeats Alcaraz in US Open’s latest-ever end, units up Semifinal with Tiafoe

Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) within the quarterfinals of the 2026 US Open on Tuesday evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium, ending the defending champion’s title run with a 146-mph ace at 3:33 a.m. — the most recent end in match historical past.

The match lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes. The No. 8-seeded Shelton, who had by no means beforehand overwhelmed a participant ranked within the high three, snapped Alcaraz’s 18-match profitable streak in Grand Slam tournaments. He advances to Friday’s semifinals in opposition to No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe, guaranteeing an American in Sunday’s closing for the primary time since Andy Roddick gained the title right here in 2003.

“I’m tired. It was a war,” Shelton stated. “Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport. It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure.”

Shelton seized management by profitable 9 consecutive video games from early within the second set via a 3-0 lead within the third. Alcaraz — the No. 3 seed, taking part in his first match since April following a proper wrist harm — battled again to win the fourth set and led 5-3 within the deciding tiebreak earlier than Shelton closed out the match behind his energy serve.

“I mean it was close, it was really close, so I was disappointed I didn’t get the win at the end,” Alcaraz instructed the Associated Press. “But I’m happy, I am proud of myself about how I fought. As I said, physically I was really tired but I found a way to push myself.”

Alcaraz, who vomited earlier than the beginning of the fifth set, is now 15-2 in five-set matches. He had gained his seventh Grand Slam title on the Australian Open earlier this yr earlier than the wrist harm.

“I’m leaving happy and my head held high,” Alcaraz instructed the AP. “The truth is, I wanted to win … but also our goal was to leave the tournament having played matches and staying healthy.”

Thousands of followers remained at Arthur Ashe Stadium close to the end, with the gang chanting Shelton’s title and “USA! USA!” all through the late levels.

“I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world, I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world,” Shelton stated. “I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours.”

It is Shelton’s third main semifinal, having reached the ultimate 4 on the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.

Tiafoe earlier beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) in a match that additionally went to a fifth-set tiebreak. He joins Andre Agassi as the one American males to achieve three US Open semifinals this century and can return to the highest 10 within the subsequent rankings replace. Michelsen, ranked No. 46, fell to 0-6 in five-set matches.

“It wasn’t good, let’s put it that way. It wasn’t good,” Tiafoe instructed the AP of his gradual begin. “Three out of five is a blessing, because you have time to get it together. I definitely waited for the last minute.”