Ben Shelton secured the most significant triumph of his career on a sleepless New York night, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle that stretched well past the early‑morning hours and propelled him into the US Open semi‑finals. The American edged out the Spaniard 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) after a grueling 4 hours and 28 minutes of play, culminating at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish ever recorded at Flushing Meadows. This victory marked Shelton’s first ever win against a player ranked inside the world’s top three; prior to the match his record against such opponents stood at 0‑17. With this win, Shelton now awaits the winner of the other quarter‑final, a dramatic five‑set encounter between fellow American Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen, which also concluded in the early morning.
"For me it’s always about the people in the crowd – my coaches, my team, my family and the whole city of New York that stayed up until 3 a.m. chanting for the USA.
That energy kept me fighting and gave me this win," Shelton said on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. He added, "This is the greatest sports city and the greatest stadium in the world.
I 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 sharing the court with Carlos – it’s an absolute honour." Shelton’s triumph guarantees that the United States will be represented in the men’s final on Sunday, a milestone not achieved since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. It also signalled the end of Alcaraz’s courageous comeback after a four‑month hiatus caused by a wrist injury that had initially cast doubt on his participation in New York.
The seven‑time major champion, playing his first tournament since April, appeared visibly unwell, even vomiting before the final set began. Nonetheless, he fought valiantly, pushing the match to a decisive 10‑point tiebreak.
"I said before the tournament that my goal was simply to be healthy and compete. It was close – really close. I’m a little disappointed not to have won, but I’m proud of how I fought," Alcaraz reflected. "After the third set I was exhausted, but I found a way to dig deeper.
In the fifth set I started feeling better. He’s a beast, an unbelievable player, powerful and adaptable in every situation. 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 after previously reaching the US Open semifinals in 2023 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2025.
After dropping the opening tiebreak, he surged ahead with nine straight games, dominating the second and third sets. Alcaraz rallied to force a fifth set, racing to a 5‑3 lead in the final‑set tiebreak before Shelton turned the tide. In classic Shelton fashion, he delivered a blistering 146 mph serve that left Alcaraz scrambling, prompting a roar from the New York crowd. Alcaraz recalled a similar pressure situation from a recent Paris tiebreak, noting, "When you’re fighting and dealing with fatigue, the serve becomes a huge weapon.
You’re constantly wondering whether you can return or if you’ll give away a free point. It’s a mental battle as much as a physical one." On the other side of the draw, Frances Tiafoe staged a remarkable comeback against Alex Michelsen, erasing a 0‑3 deficit in the final set to win 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 it with a forehand winner that sent the stadium into a frenzy.
Michelsen, who had flown under the radar but produced a respectable 21‑ace performance, received a heartfelt embrace from Tiafoe after the match. Tiafoe, now joining Andre Agassi as the only American men to reach three US Open semi‑finals in this century, also hinted at a return to the top‑10 rankings for the first time in three years.
"I was half‑asleep early on, but as the match wore on the energy was incredible. Thanks to the crowd for being there for me – I really appreciate it," he said, laughing about his early‑night fatigue. Sky Sports analyst Laura Robson expressed sympathy for the young Michelsen, noting, "It’s heartbreaking to see someone so close to the finish line and then watch it slip away.
Frances turned the match around brilliantly, but it was a brutal day for Alex." The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at the O2 in London from September 25‑27 via Sky Sports coverage.
Shelton’s victory, Alcaraz’s valiant effort, and Tiafoe’s resurgence have set the stage for a historic American showdown in the men’s final, promising a climax that could finally break the long‑standing drought of U.S. men’s singles champions at a major tournament.