Ben Shelton secured the most significant victory of his career on a sleepless New York night, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle that propelled him into the US Open semi‑finals. The American triumphed with a scoreline of 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) after an exhausting 4 hours and 28 minutes of play, concluding the match at 3:33 a.m.
– the latest finish ever recorded at Flushing Meadows. This win marked Shelton’s first ever triumph over a player ranked in the world’s top three, ending a 0‑17 record against such opponents. With the victory, he earned a place in the next round against fellow American Frances Tiafoe, who had earlier rallied from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen in another five‑setter. Shelton’s post‑match remarks highlighted the importance of the crowd’s energy: “It’s always about the people in the arena – my coaches, my team, my family, and the New York fans who stayed until 3 a.m.
chanting for the USA. Their support kept me going and helped me secure this win.” He added that playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium felt like an honor and expressed hope that his sister and best friend would not have to rise for work at 6 a.m.
after the late finish. The result guarantees that an American will be represented in the men’s final on Sunday, a milestone not achieved since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. Alcaraz’s exit also closed the chapter on his comeback after a four‑month hiatus caused by a wrist injury that initially cast doubt on his participation in New York.
The seven‑time Grand Slam champion, playing his first event since April, appeared visibly ill during the final set, even vomiting before the decisive tie‑break. Despite the physical strain, Alcaraz remained proud of his effort, saying, “I’m happy and proud of how I fought. After the third set I was exhausted, but I found a way to push through.
In the fifth set I started feeling better and better. Shelton is a beast – a powerful, unbelievable player. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and that’s what I needed.” Shelton, now heading into his third Grand Slam semi‑final, had previously reached the US Open semi‑finals in 2023 and the Australian Open semi‑finals in 2025.
After dropping the opening tie‑break, the 23‑year‑old surged to nine consecutive games, dominating the second and third sets. Alcaraz rallied to force a fifth set, where he surged ahead 5‑3 in the tie‑break before Shelton turned the tide. In classic Shelton fashion, he unleashed a 146 mph serve that left Alcaraz scrambling, igniting the stadium crowd. Alcaraz reflected on his earlier tie‑break experience in Paris, noting the mental and physical challenges of facing a server of Shelton’s caliber: “When you’re trying to fight and overcome fatigue, his serve puts a lot of pressure on you.
You’re thinking about returning the ball, not knowing if you’ll get a point or he’ll get a free point. His serve is an important weapon in these moments.” On the other side of the draw, Frances Tiafoe produced a dramatic comeback of his own, erasing a 0‑3 deficit in the fifth set to defeat Alex Michelsen 5‑7, 3‑6, 7‑5, 6‑3, 7‑6 (10‑6).
The 11th seed appeared to have lost momentum after a strong start, but he found his rhythm in the third set, sealing it with a forehand winner that sent the Arthur Ashe crowd into a roar. Michelsen, a relatively unknown contender, earned respect with 21 aces and a valiant effort, receiving a heartfelt embrace from Tiafoe after the match.
Tiafoe’s victory placed him alongside Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semi‑finals in this century, and it set him on a path back into the top‑10 rankings for the first time in three years. He joked, “Everyone was sleeping in the first couple of hours and I was asleep with you all,” before thanking the crowd for their unwavering support. Laura Robson of Sky Sports commented on the emotional toll of the Michelsen‑Tiafoe match, noting how close Michelsen came to victory and how heartbreaking it was for him.
She praised Tiafoe’s resilience, saying, “You can’t help but feel sorry for Alex; the tears were a punch in the gut. Frances turned the match around brilliantly.” The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be shown live from the O2 in London later in September. Overall, Shelton’s victory not only underscores his rising status in the tennis world but also revitalizes American hopes for a home‑grown champion at a major. His gritty performance, combined with Tiafoe’s comeback, sets the stage for an exciting final round that could finally break a 23‑year drought for U.S.
men’s singles at a Grand Slam.