Ben Shelton Beats Carlos Alcaraz in U.S. Open’s Latest-Finishing Match Ever
Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) early Wednesday morning, ending the defending champion’s title reign in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history. The marathon quarterfinal battle wrapped up at 3:33 a.m., capping a night few in Arthur Ashe Stadium will forget.
How Long Did the Shelton-Alcaraz Match Last?
The match started just after 11 p.m. and ran 4 hours and 28 minutes before finishing at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday. Thousands of fans stuck around until the very end, turning what began as a late-night session into an all-night affair.
What Happens Next for Ben Shelton?
Shelton will now face No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe, a fellow American, in the semifinals. That matchup guarantees the U.S. will have a player in Sunday’s final for the first time since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003 — the country’s last men’s major title.
Was This the Latest Match in U.S. Open History?
Yes. Before Wednesday’s finish, the previous record belonged to Alcaraz himself. In the 2022 quarterfinals, he outlasted Jannik Sinner in a match that ended at 2:50 a.m. — a win that propelled him toward his first Grand Slam title at just 19 years old.
How Did the Crowd Influence the Match?
Shelton fed off a major home-crowd advantage against the popular Alcaraz, with fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium chanting his name and breaking into “USA! USA!” chants throughout the night.
“It’s incredible,” Shelton said. “I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world … that this is the greatest stadium in the world. I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours.”
What Else Happened on This Marathon Day of Tennis?
Three of the four singles quarterfinals went to match tiebreakers, making it one of the most grueling days of the tournament. The action kicked off with Aryna Sabalenka edging Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova to keep alive her bid for a third straight U.S. Open title.
For Alcaraz, the wait for his next major continues. Shelton, meanwhile, is now into his third career Grand Slam semifinal, having previously reached the final four at the 2023 U.S. Open and 2025 Australian Open.
How Did Ben Shelton Beat Carlos Alcaraz?
Shelton took control early, winning nine straight games that stretched from the second set into a 3-0 lead in the third. Alcaraz — playing his first tournament since April as he recovered from a right wrist injury — fought back hard, even as he vomited before the start of the final set.
In the deciding tiebreaker, Alcaraz ripped off four straight points to jump ahead 5-3. But Shelton answered with his trademark power, leaning on serves that regularly top 140 mph while capitalizing on a few Alcaraz mistakes. He sealed the win with a 146 mph serve that Alcaraz simply couldn’t return.
According to CBS Sports, the victory marks Shelton’s first career win over a top-5 seed at a Grand Slam — a milestone that speaks to how far he’s come this season.
Alcaraz’s loss drops his five-set match record to 15-2. He’d started the year strong, capturing his seventh Grand Slam title at the Australian Open before the wrist injury sidelined him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history?
A: Ben Shelton’s 3:33 a.m. win over Carlos Alcaraz is now the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, surpassing Alcaraz’s own 2:50 a.m. finish against Jannik Sinner in 2022.
Q: Who will Ben Shelton play next after beating Carlos Alcaraz?
A: Shelton will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe, the No. 11 seed, in the U.S. Open semifinals.
Q: How fast does Ben Shelton serve?
A: Shelton’s serves regularly exceed 140 mph, and he closed out his win over Alcaraz with a 146 mph ace-like serve that couldn’t be returned.
Q: Has the U.S. had a men’s finalist at the U.S. Open recently?
A: No. This year’s semifinal matchup between Shelton and Tiafoe guarantees the first American men’s finalist since Andy Roddick won the title in 2003.
