Ben Shelton knocks defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7), in a 4hr 28min match that ended at 3.33 a.m. — the latest finish in the tournament's history. He meets Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final. In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula meet again on Thursday.
Ben Shelton scores the biggest win of his career and a spot in the US Open semifinals!
Showing this post loads content from X, which may set trackers in your browser.
X's privacy policy
How did Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz?
By losing the first and fourth sets and winning the other three. Shelton, the No. 8 seed, drops the opening tie-break 7-5, then takes charge: 6-1, 6-3. Alcaraz, seeded No. 2, levels the match with a one-sided fourth set, 6-1.
Everything came down to the deciding tie-break, played to ten points under US Open rules. Shelton takes it 10-7 and closes it out with a 146 mph ace.
Alcaraz's 18-match winning streak at Grand Slams ends there.
"It's incredible. 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 said on court.
Why does this night go into the tournament's record books?
Because no match there had ever finished so late. The final point fell at 3.33 a.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The previous record dated from 2022 and already belonged to Alcaraz: 2.50 a.m., in a quarter-final against Jannik Sinner.
Who plays the men's semi-final?
Shelton against Frances Tiafoe, on Friday. Tiafoe, the No. 11 seed, went through earlier in the day by coming back from two sets down against Alex Michelsen: 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6).
It is the first US Open semi-final between two Black American men in the Open era. No American has won the tournament since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Where does the women's draw stand?
The first two quarter-finals produced Thursday's semi-final. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka edges out the Czech Linda Noskova (No. 6) 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7) and stays on course for a third straight New York title. Jessica Pegula (No. 3) comes back to beat her compatriot Emma Navarro (No. 26) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
The two meet for the third year running at the semi-final stage or later — the fourth pair in the Open era to do so. Sabalenka beat Pegula in the 2024 final.
What is left to play on Wednesday?
The other four quarter-finals. In the women's draw, Coco Gauff against Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina against Qinwen Zheng. In the men's, Alexander Zverev against Botic van de Zandschulp and Alexander Blockx against Karen Khachanov.
Van de Zandschulp is the player who knocked Arthur Gea out in the fourth round, after 5hr 13min and a saved match point.
Sources
ESPN — Shelton stuns Alcaraz in latest US Open finish, sets up all-American semi
NBC News — American Ben Shelton outduels defending champ Alcaraz in U.S. Open's latest-ever finish
CBS Sports — US Open 2026 schedule, bracket, live updates and results: quarterfinals