US Open 2026: Ben Shelton eliminates Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal finished at 3h33

The match began Tuesday at 23h05, local time, on Arthur Ashe Court and concluded Wednesday at 3h33, after 4h28 of play. This finish sets the record for the latest completed match in the history of the New York tournament, surpassing the previous mark of 2h50 set by the quarterfinal between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2022.

Alcaraz won the first set in a tiebreak before Shelton took control of the next two sets, 6-1 then 6-3. The defending champion responded strongly in the fourth set, winning 6-1, pushing the American into a fifth set where neither player managed to break serve.

The match was ultimately decided in a super tiebreak. Shelton withstood the Spaniard’s surges and closed it out 10 points to 7, sealing his first victory in four meetings against Alcaraz. The American had already reached the US Open semifinals in 2023, but this qualification takes on a new significance against an opponent who came to New York as the defending champion.

The defeat ends Alcaraz’s run, who had remained undefeated in Grand Slams against American players before this match. For Shelton, the win now sets up an all-American semifinal against Frances Tiafoe, who defeated Alex Michelsen in five sets. An American player will therefore be guaranteed a spot in the men’s final on Sunday.

A battle into the early hours

Shelton built his victory as much on his powerful serve as on his ability to sustain rallies. After dropping the first set despite solid resistance, he imposed more rhythm in the second and third sets, also benefiting from an increase in unforced errors from Alcaraz.

The Spaniard, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, reignited suspense in the fourth set by raising his intensity and breaking his opponent’s serve three times. The fifth set then turned into a test of nerves, with each player holding serve until the tiebreak.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium remained large despite the late hour. Shelton said after the match that he drew strength from the support of his family and the New York crowd to hold on through this more than four-hour duel.

An all-American final assured

The semifinal between Shelton and Tiafoe guarantees an American presence in the men’s singles final. The United States has been waiting for a new male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick’s US Open title in 2003.

Tiafoe qualified by overturning Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6). Shelton, meanwhile, reached the semifinals after notably eliminating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16 and then the defending champion Alcaraz in the latest finishing match in the tournament’s history.