Ben Shelton has produced the biggest win of his career, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set thriller to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 US Open.
The eighth-seeded American recovered from losing the opening set to beat the second-seeded Spaniard 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a match that lasted four hours and 28 minutes.
Shelton took control after dropping the first set, winning the next two before Alcaraz responded emphatically to level the match.
The fifth set was another tight battle, with neither player able to pull away. Shelton eventually held his nerve in the deciding match tie-break to complete the upset. Speaking after the match, Shelton said he knew he would need his best tennis to beat Alcaraz.
“It took every ounce of special tennis that I knew I was going to have to play to beat him,” Shelton said.
He described the match as one of the most intense battles of his career, given the physical and mental demands and the repeated shifts in momentum. Shelton also praised Alcaraz despite ending his title defence.
“I have so much respect for Carlos,” he said, highlighting the Spaniard’s level and fighting spirit, particularly after his return from injury.
Alcaraz returned to competitive action at the US Open after more than four months out with a right wrist injury. He had looked sharp throughout the tournament before Shelton ended his run.
The victory was Shelton’s first against Alcaraz after losing their previous three meetings. It was also his first win over a top-three opponent, having entered the match with a 0-17 record against players ranked inside the top three.
The defeat ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak and denied him the chance to defend his US Open title.
The match also set a new US Open record as the latest completed match in the tournament’s history. It ended at around 3:30 a.m. local time, surpassing the previous record set by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their 2022 quarter-final.
Shelton will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals, setting up an all-American showdown at Flushing Meadows.
The 23-year-old advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets and is now two wins away from becoming the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam singles title.
