Ben Shelton secured the most significant victory of his career on a New York night that stretched well past midnight, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle to claim a spot in the US Open semi‑finals. The match, which lasted four hours and twenty‑eight minutes, concluded at 3:33 a.m., marking the latest finish ever recorded at Flushing Meadows. Shelton emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7), delivering a performance that thrilled the boisterous crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
This win was a watershed moment for the 23‑year‑old American. Until that night, Shelton had never beaten a player ranked inside the top three, entering the contest with a 0‑17 record against such elite opponents.
Overcoming that hurdle not only propelled him into the final four but also set up a semi‑final clash with fellow American Frances Tiafoe, who had earlier secured his own dramatic five‑set win over Alex Michelsen. Speaking from the court, Shelton attributed his stamina and focus to the energy of the spectators.
"It’s always about the people in the crowd—my coaches, my team, my friends and family, and everyone in New York who stayed up until 3 a.m. chanting for the USA.
That’s what kept me going and gave me this win," he said. He went on to praise the venue, calling New York "the greatest sports city" and Arthur Ashe Stadium "the greatest stadium in the world," while jokingly hoping his sister and best friend wouldn’t have to report for work at six in the morning. "I’m so grateful, so blessed to be out here, and sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour," he added. Shelton’s triumph 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.
The victory also signaled the end of Alcaraz’s comeback attempt 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 event since April, appeared visibly ill in the final set, even vomiting before the decisive tie‑break, yet he fought valiantly until the very end.
Alcaraz reflected on his performance after the match. "Before the tournament I said the goal was just to compete, to play these kinds of matches while I’m healthy. It was close—really close. I’m a little disappointed not to get the win, but I’m proud of how I fought," he said.
He praised Shelton’s power and resilience, noting, "He’s a beast, an unbelievable player. He kept playing well in every situation, so credit to him.
I leave the court happy, with a smile, healthy, and that’s what I needed." This semi‑final appearance marks Shelton’s third at a Grand Slam, following a quarter‑final run at the 2023 US Open and a similar feat at the 2025 Australian Open. After dropping the opening tie‑break, he surged ahead with nine consecutive games, dominating the second and third sets. Alcaraz rallied to force a fifth set, initially taking a 5‑3 lead in the tie‑break before Shelton turned the tide. In a signature moment, Shelton unleashed a 146 mph serve that left Alcaraz scrambling, igniting the stadium’s crowd.
Alcaraz recalled a recent tie‑break in Paris, describing the mental and physical challenges of facing a powerful server. "When you’re trying to fight and overcome fatigue, his serve puts a lot of pressure on you. You’re not sure whether you’ll get a return or a free point," he explained, emphasizing the importance of the serve in high‑stakes moments. On the other side of the draw, Frances Tiafoe produced his own comeback narrative, overturning a two‑set deficit and a 0‑3 hole in the final 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 momentum after an early‑round surge, found his rhythm in the third set and sealed the match with a forehand winner that sent the Arthur Ashe crowd into a frenzy. Michelsen, despite a relatively low profile, earned admiration for his tenacity, firing 21 aces and sharing an emotional embrace with Tiafoe after the loss. Tiafoe’s victory placed him alongside Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semi‑finals in this century and set the stage for a return to the top‑10 rankings for the first time in three years.
He humorously noted, "Everyone was sleeping in the first couple of hours and I was asleep with you all," before thanking the fans for their unwavering support. Commentary from Sky Sports’ Laura Robson highlighted the heartbreak for Michelsen, describing his tears as "a punch in the gut" and noting the difficulty of being so close to victory only to falter at the last moment. She praised Tiafoe’s resilience, calling his turnaround "brutal for Alex but deserving of applause for Frances." 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.