Ben Shelton captured the most significant triumph of his career on a New York night that stretched well into the early morning, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle to secure a place in the US Open semi‑finals. The American surged to a 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) victory after a grueling 4 hour and 28 minute contest, leaving the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium buzzing until the match finally concluded at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish ever recorded at the tournament. This win marked a watershed moment for Shelton. Until this encounter he had never defeated a player ranked inside the top three, carrying a 0‑17 record against such elite opposition.
Overcoming that barrier against a seven‑time Grand Slam champion who was returning from a four‑month wrist injury lay the foundation for a new chapter in American men’s tennis. With this result, Shelton now faces fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe in the semi‑finals, after Tiafoe rallied from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen earlier in the evening.
Speaking from the court, Shelton credited the energy of the crowd for his resilience: “It’s always about the people in the stands—my coaches, my team, my friends, my family, and everyone in New York who stayed up until 3 a.m. chanting for the USA. That support kept me moving forward and gave me this win.” He added, “This city is the greatest sports city on the planet, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is the most iconic arena in the world. I hope my best friend and sister don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m., because I’m just so grateful and blessed to be out here sharing the court with Carlos.
It’s an absolute honour.” Shelton’s triumph guarantees that the United States will be represented in Sunday’s men’s final, a feat not achieved since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. For Alcaraz, the loss signaled the end of a valiant comeback. The Spaniard, who had not competed since April due to a lingering wrist issue, appeared visibly ill before the decisive fifth set, even vomiting on court.
Yet he fought back, pushing the match to a 10‑point tie‑break. After the match, Alcaraz reflected, “Going into the tournament I just wanted to be healthy and compete.
It was close, really close. I’m a little disappointed not to have taken the win, but I’m proud of how I fought.
After the third set I was exhausted, but I found a way to dig deep and give a little more in the fifth. Shelton is a beast—powerful, unbelievably good in every situation. I leave the court happy, with a smile, feeling healthy. That’s what I needed.” The 23‑year‑old Shelton entered his third Grand Slam semi‑final having previously reached the US Open semi‑finals in 2023 and the Australian Open semi‑finals in 2025.
After dropping the opening tie‑break, he rattled off nine consecutive games, dominating the second and third sets. Alcaraz rallied in the fourth, forcing a decider, and even surged ahead 5‑3 in the final tie‑break before Shelton turned the tide.
In classic Shelton fashion, he unleashed a 146 mph serve that Alcaraz could not return, electrifying the New York crowd. Alcaraz recalled a previous tie‑break in Paris, noting, “When you’re fighting and tired, the serve becomes a huge weapon. You’re constantly wondering if you’ll get a return or a free point. It’s a mental battle as much as a physical one.” On the other side of the draw, Frances Tiafoe staged his own comeback, 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, who had seemed to lose his early‑tournament spark, found momentum in the third set and sealed it with a forehand winner to roaring applause. Michelsen, a relatively unknown talent, earned admiration by delivering 21 aces and fighting valiantly, only to be embraced by Tiafoe in an emotional post‑match hug. Tiafoe, now joining Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semi‑finals in this century, will re‑enter the top‑10 rankings for the first time in three years. He joked, “Everyone was asleep 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 Tennis summed up the drama, “You can’t help but feel for Alex Michelsen – he was so close. Frances is a fan favourite, and the tears that came from Alex were heartbreaking. When you’re that near the finish line and it slips away, it’s the worst feeling. Brutal day for him, but credit to Frances for turning the match around.” The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will be shown from The O2 in London later in September.
Shelton’s victory not only reshapes the narrative of this year’s tournament but also signals a resurgence of American men’s tennis on the world stage, setting up a highly anticipated semi‑final clash that could define the next era of the sport.