Shelton stuns Alcaraz in latest-finishing US Open match

Ben Shelton shocked defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal that ended at the latest time in tournament history, reaching the semifinals with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) win.

The eighth-seeded American won in four hours and 28 minutes, finishing at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton held his nerve in the deciding tiebreak to notch  biggest victory of his career and his first against a top-three opponent.

Alcaraz, the 2025 winner, was back in action after a four-month absence because of a wrist injury. The Spaniard had lost nine games in a row between the second and third sets, but Shelton beat him in a third-set tiebreak. Alcaraz finished with 53 unforced errors to 35 for Shelton.

“It’s always fun being on the court against him,” Shelton said of Alcaraz after the match.

Shelton, 23, will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semis, ensuring that a US man will reach the final. Tiafoe earlier beat Alex Michelsen in five sets.

The previous US Open record for latest finish was 2:50 a.m. in Alcaraz’s 2022 quarterfinal against Jannik Sinner.