Ben Shelton emerged victorious in an epic battle against Carlos Alcaraz, culminating in a historic U.S. Open match that concluded at 3:33 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Shelton secured the win with a thunderous 146 m.p.h. ace that Alcaraz couldn’t return, marking the end of the reigning U.S. Open champion’s title defense.
In a grueling five-set showdown, Shelton claimed a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) triumph, making it the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history. Expressing his exhaustion, Shelton described the match as a “war” and praised Alcaraz as one of the sport’s greatest champions. Alcaraz, whose 18-match Grand Slam winning streak was halted, valiantly fought despite physical challenges, including vomiting before the final set, after returning from a wrist injury earlier in the year.
The electrifying atmosphere of the U.S. Open night matches, fueled by enthusiastic fans, witnessed thousands staying until the early hours. With the Arthur Ashe Stadium still buzzing, Shelton received a boost from the home crowd, even as they chanted “USA! USA!” in support. Shelton acknowledged the incredible energy of the crowd, hailing the stadium as the best and hoping his loved ones wouldn’t have to work early the next morning.
The quarterfinal matches at the U.S. Open were intense, with three of the four singles contests requiring match tiebreakers. Aryna Sabalenka’s victory over Linda Noskova set the tone for a marathon day, leading to a showdown between Shelton and No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. Tiafoe staged a remarkable comeback against Alex Michelsen, ensuring an American player’s presence in the men’s final, where a new U.S. Open champion will be crowned.
