Ben Shelton secured the most significant victory of his career on the night that stretched well into the early hours of a New York morning, toppling defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon five‑set battle to book his place in the US Open semi‑finals. The match, which lasted four hours and twenty‑eight minutes, concluded at 3:33 a.m., setting a new record for the latest finish in the tournament's history and leaving the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd buzzing with excitement.
Shelton, the 23‑year‑old American, overcame a first‑set tiebreak loss to claim the next two sets 6‑1 and 6‑3, before Alcaraz fought back to take the fourth 6‑1. The final set was a nail‑biting tiebreak that Shelton edged 10‑7, sealing a 6‑7 (5‑7), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6 (10‑7) victory. This win marked Shelton's inaugural triumph over a player who had been ranked inside the top three, improving his previously winless 0‑17 record against such elite opponents.
In the post‑match interview, Shelton credited the energy of the crowd, his coaching staff, and the city of New York for fueling his performance. "It’s all about the people in the stands—my coaches, my family, the fans who stayed until three in the morning chanting for the USA. That kept me going and helped me secure this win," he said.
He added, "New York is the greatest sports city and this stadium is the best in the world. I just hope my best friend and sister don’t have to be at work at six in the morning. I’m so grateful and honored to share the court with Carlos." Shelton’s triumph guarantees an American presence in the men’s final on Sunday, a stage the United States has not seen since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. It 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 major champion, playing his first tournament since April, appeared visibly ill before the decisive set, even vomiting at one point, yet he fought valiantly until the final point. Alcaraz reflected on his performance, noting his pre‑tournament goal of staying healthy and competing at a high level. "I 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, calling him "a beast" and acknowledging the American’s ability to deliver a 146 mph serve that left the crowd on its feet. This semi‑final appearance is Shelton’s third at a Grand Slam, following a quarter‑final run at the 2023 US Open and a final‑four showing at the 2025 Australian Open. After dropping the opening tiebreak, he surged ahead with nine consecutive games, dominating the second and third sets.
Alcaraz rallied to force a fifth‑set tiebreak, where he initially surged to a 5‑3 lead before Shelton turned the tide, ultimately clinching the match. On the other side of the draw, Frances Tiafoe also battled back from two sets down, erasing a 0‑3 deficit in the fifth set to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen 5‑7, 3‑6, 7‑5, 6‑3, 7‑6 (10‑6). Tiafoe’s comeback marked his third US Open semi‑final this century, joining Andre Agassi as the only American men to achieve that feat. The 11th seed’s momentum shifted in the third set, where a forehand winner sparked a roar from the Arthur Ashe crowd.
Michelsen, who had quietly advanced to his deepest major run, displayed remarkable composure, serving 21 aces and receiving an emotional embrace from Tiafoe after the match. Tiafoe described his mindset during the crucial moments, saying, "I hoped he’d tighten up, but I found my rhythm, slipped out of the third set and kept improving.
He’s an incredible player and deserved the win, so shout out to Alex Michelsen." His victory propels him back into the world top ten for the first time in three years. Analysts from Sky Sports highlighted the emotional stakes for both competitors.
Laura Robson remarked, "You can’t help but feel for Alex Michelsen—he was so close, and Frances is a fan favourite. The tears that came from Alex were like a punch in the gut. Being that close to the finish line and feeling you might have choked is the worst feeling.
It was a brutal day for him, but credit to Frances for turning the match around." Overall, the night delivered two of the most dramatic five‑set encounters of the tournament, showcasing the depth of American talent and the resilience of a young Spanish star returning from injury. With Shelton set to face Tiafoe in the semi‑finals, American fans have a strong chance of seeing a home‑grown champion advance to the final, a narrative that has been missing from US Open men’s tennis for over two decades.
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, ensuring fans worldwide can follow every twist and turn of the competition.