Ben Shelton secured the most significant triumph of his young career on a sleepless New York night, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle that stretched well past midnight and earned him a place in the US Open semi‑finals. The American’s final scoreline read 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), a contest that lasted four hours and twenty‑eight minutes and concluded at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish ever recorded at Flushing Meadows. This victory marked Shelton’s first ever win over a player ranked inside the top three – a milestone he entered the match having never beaten a top‑three opponent in 17 previous attempts. After the match, Shelton was slated to meet fellow U.S.
player Frances Tiafoe, who had also produced a dramatic five‑set win earlier in the evening, setting up an all‑American semi‑final. "For me it's always about the people in the crowd – my coaches, my team, my friends and family, and the whole city of New York that stayed up until 3 a.m. chanting for the USA. That energy kept me going and gave me this win," Shelton told the crowd from the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
He went on to praise the venue, saying, "This is the greatest sports city and the greatest stadium in the world. I just hope my best friend and my sister don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. I’m so grateful, so blessed to be out here, and sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour." Shelton’s win guarantees that the United States will be represented in the men’s final on Sunday – a notable achievement given that the last American man to capture a major title was Andy Roddick in 2003.
The match also signalled the end of Alcaraz’s courageous comeback after a four‑month layoff due to a wrist injury that had initially cast doubt on his participation in New York. The seven‑time Grand Slam champion, playing his first tournament since April, appeared visibly fatigued, even vomiting before the final set began, and ultimately fell in a ten‑point, match‑deciding tie‑break. For Shelton, this semi‑final appearance is his third at a Grand Slam event. He previously reached the US Open quarter‑finals in 2023 and the Australian Open quarter‑finals in 2025.
After dropping the opening tie‑break, the 23‑year‑old surged forward, winning nine consecutive games to dominate the second and third sets 6‑1, 6‑1. Alcaraz rallied in the fourth, taking it 6‑1 and forcing a decisive fifth set. In the final set, Alcaraz surged ahead in the tie‑break, leading 5‑3, but Shelton responded with a blistering 146 mph serve that Alcaraz could not return, energising the crowd and ultimately turning the tide.
Shelton clinched the tie‑break 10‑7, sealing a historic upset. The night’s drama did not end with Shelton’s match.
Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, recovered from a two‑set deficit and a 0‑3 hole in the fifth set to defeat his compatriot Alex Michelsen 5‑7, 3‑6, 7‑5, 6‑3, 7‑6 (10‑6). Tiafoe’s comeback marked his third US Open semi‑final appearance, joining Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three semi‑finals at the tournament in this century. The win also propels Tiafoe back into the top ten of the ATP rankings for the first time in three years.
Michelsen, a relatively unknown player who had flown under the radar, earned widespread respect by pushing Tiafoe to the brink, delivering 21 aces and displaying remarkable composure on tennis’s biggest U.S. stage.
After the match, Tiafoe embraced the 22‑year‑old in an emotional hug, acknowledging his opponent’s effort: "I hope he gets tight," Tiafoe said, referring to the pressure he felt at 4‑5 down in the third set. "He gave me a couple of double faults, but then I found my rhythm, slipped out of the third set, and kept improving. He’s a hell of a player. He should’ve easily won today, so shout out to Alex Michelsen." Commentary from Sky Sports’ Laura Robson highlighted the heartbreak for Michelsen: "You can’t help but feel sorry for Alex; he was so close.
The tears that came out of him felt like a punch in the gut for me, even though I don’t know him personally. Being that close to the finish line and feeling it slip away is the worst feeling – it’s almost like choking. It was a brutal day for him, but you have to tip your cap to Frances for turning the match around." The US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming available on the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app without a contract. Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, which will be shown on Sky Sports as well.
Overall, Shelton’s victory over Alcaraz not only reshaped the narrative of this year’s US Open but also underscored the depth of American men’s tennis, setting the stage for a historic all‑American semi‑final and possibly a final that could end a 23‑year drought for a U.S. champion at a Grand Slam event.