Ben Shelton produced the biggest win of his career by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarter-final at the 2026 US Open.
.webp "Ben Shelton Stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Historic US Open Thriller")
The American eighth seed recovered from losing the opening set to beat Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a match that lasted four hours and 28 minutes.
The contest finished at 3:33 a.m. local time at Arthur Ashe Stadium, making it the latest-ending match in US Open history. Shelton sealed the victory with a 146mph ace in the deciding tie-break.
Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since April after recovering from a wrist injury, started strongly by taking the opening set in a tie-break. Shelton then responded emphatically, winning nine consecutive games across the second and third sets to take control of the match.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion fought back in the fourth set to force a decider. Alcaraz also moved 5-3 ahead in the final tie-break, but Shelton responded under pressure and won the next crucial points to complete the comeback.
The result ended Alcaraz's 18-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments and gave Shelton his first victory over a top-three opponent after 17 previous defeats.
Shelton will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. Tiafoe also survived a five-set quarter-final against Alex Michelsen, guaranteeing that an American player will reach the men's singles final.
The victory also gives Shelton another opportunity to reach his first Grand Slam final after previous semi-final appearances at the 2023 US Open and 2025 Australian Open