Shelton stuns Alcaraz in record-late US Open thriller

NEW YORK: Ben Shelton produced the biggest win of his career against Carlos Alcaraz in the early hours of Wednesday, battling for four hours and 28 minutes to reach the US Open semi-finals in a dramatic five-set quarter-final that ended at a record 3:34am in New York.

The American prevailed 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7) to claim his first victory over Alcaraz and end the Spaniard’s hopes of defending his US Open title.

The marathon encounter became the latest-finishing match in the history of the tournament at Flushing Meadows, surpassing the previous record of 2:50am, set when Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in a five-set quarter-final in 2022.

Shelton, 23, matched his previous run to the US Open semi-finals from three years ago and will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in an all-American showdown.

Tiafoe also produced a remarkable comeback earlier in the day, recovering from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6).

The results have raised the possibility of an American ending a long wait for the men’s singles title. The last American man to win the US Open was Andy Roddick in 2003.

Shelton survives a battle of endurance

The match began after 11pm following three earlier quarter-finals that all went the distance, leaving both players facing an unusually late start.

The opening set was tightly contested, with neither player facing a break point through the first 10 games. Alcaraz eventually created pressure on Shelton’s serve and moved ahead, but the American responded immediately.

Shelton forced the first set into a tiebreak and briefly led 5-3. Alcaraz, however, won the final four points to take the opening set after 61 minutes.

The momentum changed dramatically in the second set.

Shelton began finding greater accuracy with his serve and unleashing his powerful groundstrokes. He won nine consecutive games across the second and third sets, taking control as Alcaraz struggled to maintain his level.

Two of Shelton’s three breaks in the second set came after double faults from the Spaniard, allowing the American to level the match and then move ahead.

Alcaraz refuses to surrender

Despite appearing physically stretched, Alcaraz found another gear in the fourth set.

The four-time Grand Slam champion raised his intensity, broke Shelton’s rhythm and took the set 6-1 in only 36 minutes, sending the match into a decisive fifth set.

Neither player could establish a decisive advantage.

Alcaraz had a break opportunity at 2-2, while Shelton created his own chance at 4-3. Both survived, sending the contest to a 10-point match tiebreak.

Shelton kept his composure when it mattered most and sealed victory with an ace on match point.

“That was a war, epic match, so physical,” Shelton said afterwards, describing it as the most enjoyable match of his career.

He also praised Alcaraz, calling the 23-year-old Spaniard one of the sport’s greatest champions.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, said he was proud of the way he fought and chose to leave the court with a smile.

All-American semi-final awaits

Shelton now has an opportunity to reach his first US Open final, but another difficult challenge awaits in Tiafoe.

The American pair will meet with a place in the final at stake and a historic opportunity ahead of them.

With Alcaraz eliminated and two Americans remaining in the draw, the US Open men’s tournament has suddenly opened up.

For Shelton, though, the focus will be on recovering from one of the longest and most physically demanding matches of his career.

After surviving until 3:34am, the American has earned another chance to chase a title that no American man has lifted since Roddick more than two decades ago.