Ben Shelton captured 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 stretched well past midnight and secured his place in the US Open semi‑finals. The American prodigy edged out the Spaniard 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) after an exhausting 4 hour and 28 minute contest, concluding at an unprecedented 3:33 a.m. local time.
The match set a new record for the latest finish in the tournament’s history, leaving the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd buzzing with excitement until the early hours. Shelton’s triumph was especially momentous because it marked his first ever win against a player who had been ranked inside the world’s top three. Until that night he was 0‑17 in such encounters, making the upset all the more remarkable.
With the victory, Shelton now awaits a semi‑final showdown against fellow American Frances Tiafoe, who earned his spot after a dramatic five‑set comeback over Alex Michelsen earlier in the evening. Reflecting on the atmosphere, Shelton said, "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 until 3 a.m.
chanting for the USA. That energy kept me going and gave me this win." He added, "It’s unbelievable. This is the greatest sports city and the greatest stadium in the world.
I just hope my best friend and sister don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. I’m so grateful, so blessed to be out here with you, and sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour." Shelton’s win guarantees that an American will be represented in the men’s final on Sunday, a prospect not seen since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. It also signalled the end of Alcaraz’s valiant return after a four‑month hiatus caused by a wrist injury that had initially cast doubt on his participation in New York.
The seven‑time Grand Slam champion, playing his first event since April, appeared visibly ill before the final set, even vomiting on court, yet he fought back to force a 10‑point match‑deciding tiebreak. Alcaraz later explained, "Before the tournament I said the goal was simply to be here, to compete and play these kinds of matches while I’m healthy.
It was close – really close. I’m a little disappointed not to finish with the win, but I’m proud of how I fought.
After the third set I was exhausted, but I dug deep and gave everything in the fifth. I felt better as the set went on.
He’s a beast, an unbelievable player, powerful and able to adapt in every situation. Credit to him. I leave the court happy, with a smile, healthy – exactly 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 tiebreak, he surged ahead with nine consecutive games, dominating the second and third sets.
Alcaraz rallied in the fourth, sending the match to a decisive fifth set where he initially surged to a 5‑3 lead in the tiebreak before Shelton turned the tide. In classic Shelton fashion, he capped the climax with a blistering 146 mph serve that Alcaraz could not return, prompting a roar from the New York crowd. Alcaraz recalled his recent experience in Paris, noting, "The last tiebreak I played was in Paris – an unbelievable game.
When you’re fighting through fatigue and physical issues, 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." Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe staged his own comeback drama, clawing back from two sets down and erasing a 0‑3 deficit in the final set to defeat compatriot Alex Michelsen 5‑7, 3‑6, 7‑5, 6‑3, 7‑6 (10‑6). The 11th seed, who had seemed to lose the spark of his early tournament run, found momentum in the third set and sealed the win with a forehand winner that sent the stadium into a frenzy. Michelsen, the under‑dog who had flown under the radar, earned respect by serving 21 aces and battling fiercely on tennis’s biggest American stage. After the match, Tiafoe briefly paused his celebration to embrace the 22‑year‑old, showing sportsmanship and empathy.
Tiafoe later said, "I hoped he’d get tight at 4‑5 down in the third. He gave me a few double faults, but I slowly found my rhythm, slipped out of the third set and kept improving.
He’s a hell of a player and should have easily won today – shout out to Alex Michelsen." Tiafoe’s victory places him alongside Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semi‑finals in this century, and it will propel him back into the top ten of the ATP rankings for the first time in three years. He joked after the match, "Everyone was sleeping in the first couple of hours and I was asleep with you all.
As the night went on, the energy was incredible, as always. Thank you to the crowd for being there for me – I really appreciate it." Sky Sports tennis analyst Laura Robson commented on the emotional roller‑coaster, "You can’t help but feel for Alex Michelsen – he was so close and the tears that came out of him were like a punch in the gut. I don’t even know him, but being in that position, knowing the finish line is right there and it slips away, is the worst feeling.
It’s a brutal day for him, but you have to tip your cap 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 without a contract. Fans can also look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.