US Open: Shelton Ends Alcaraz’s Title Reign, Sets Up Tiafoe Semifinal

Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defence in a dramatic five-set quarterfinal that became the latest-finishing match in tournament history, ending at 3:33 am on Wednesday.

Shelton prevailed 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a marathon lasting 4 hours and 28 minutes. The defeat ended Alcaraz’s 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments and brought his bid for another US Open crown to an unexpected conclusion.

The American seized control after losing the opening set, winning nine consecutive games from early in the second set to take a 3-0 lead in the third. Alcaraz fought back to level the contest, setting up a deciding-set tiebreak that Shelton eventually won.

The Spaniard, playing in his first tournament since April after recovering from a right wrist injury, showed remarkable determination despite vomiting before the final set.

Shelton will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. Tiafoe also survived a five-set battle, defeating Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) on Tuesday to reach his third US Open semifinal.

The all-American semifinal guarantees that a US man will reach Sunday’s final, keeping alive the country’s hopes of producing its first men’s Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.

Alcaraz had previously held the tournament’s latest-finish record after beating Jannik Sinner in a 2022 quarterfinal that ended at 2:50 am. Three of the four singles quarterfinals on this marathon day went to match tiebreaks.

Earlier, Aryna Sabalenka kept her hopes of a third consecutive US Open title alive by edging Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.