Ben Shelton tennis news
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The gist
Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in the latest-finishing match in the tournament's.
The all-American semifinal against Frances Tiafoe guarantees a US man in Sunday's final.
Background
Shelton, the No. 8 seed, ended defending champion Alcaraz's title reign in a five-set quarterfinal that started just after 11 p.m. and finished at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday, the latest finish in US Open history. Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, was playing his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff. Shelton now faces No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal, meaning the US is guaranteed a representative in Sunday's final as it seeks its first men's major title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026Frances Tiafoe beats Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) to reach his third US Open semifinal.
- Sep 8, 2026 23:00Shelton and Alcaraz begin their quarterfinal just after 11 p.m. in New York.
- Sep 9, 2026 03:33Shelton wins 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) on a 146 mph ace, the latest-finishing match in US Open history.
Who’s saying what
- Public
- Shelton called it "the most enjoyable match I've had in my career" and "the greatest moment on the tennis court of my life."
- Analysts
- Coverage framed the win as Shelton becoming the face of American men's tennis and his first career win over a top-5 seed at a Grand Slam.
- Caution
- Reports noted Alcaraz was playing his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff.
Still unverified
Sources differ on the exact finish time, citing 3:33 a.m. and 3:35 a.m.; one report says the match passed 2:50 a.m. as the record mark.