Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz: American Stuns Defending Champion in US Open 2026 Thriller
Ben Shelton produced one of the biggest wins of his career by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarter-final at the 2026 US Open.
The American eighth seed recovered from losing the opening set before fighting through a tense deciding-set tiebreak.
Shelton eventually won 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) after four hours and 28 minutes of extraordinary tennis.
The match ended at about 3:33 a.m. local time, making it the latest finish in US Open history.
Alcaraz Takes the First Set
Alcaraz started strongly as he looked to continue his title defense.
The Spaniard took the opening set in a tight tiebreak. Shelton had chances, but Alcaraz stayed composed when the pressure increased.
The result appeared to put the defending champion in control.
Shelton, however, responded immediately.
Shelton Turns the Match Around
The American changed the rhythm of the match in the second set.
His serve became a major weapon. Shelton also attacked from the baseline and forced Alcaraz into uncomfortable positions.
He won the second set 6-1.
Shelton continued that momentum in the third set. His powerful serving and aggressive returns allowed him to break away from Alcaraz.
Another 6-3 set put Shelton one set from a huge upset.
Alcaraz then produced his own response.
Alcaraz Forces a Deciding Set
The defending champion raised his level in the fourth set.
Shelton struggled to maintain the same pressure, while Alcaraz found more opportunities on return.
Alcaraz won the set 6-1 and forced the match into a deciding fifth set.
The final set became a battle of nerves.
Neither player was willing to give away the advantage. Shelton held his nerve as the match moved toward a deciding tiebreak.
Shelton Wins the Final Tiebreak
The fifth-set tiebreak provided the dramatic finish the match deserved.
Shelton stayed aggressive and refused to back away from his biggest shots.
He eventually won the tiebreak 10-7 to complete the biggest victory of his US Open campaign.
The victory also ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
Alcaraz had also been undefeated against American opponents at Grand Slam tournaments before the match.
A Historic US Open Finish
The timing of the match added another remarkable chapter.
Play began shortly after 11 p.m. because of delays to the schedule. The four-hour, 28-minute battle continued deep into the morning.
When Shelton finally secured the victory, the clock had passed 3:30 a.m. in New York.
The late finish set a new record for the latest-ending match in US Open history.
Despite the defeat, Alcaraz fought until the final point.
The Spaniard had returned to competitive tennis after a long layoff caused by a wrist problem. His run to the quarter-finals had already answered some questions about his fitness.
Shelton Reaches the Semifinals
Shelton’s reward is an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe also produced a dramatic comeback earlier in the quarter-finals. He defeated Alex Michelsen in five sets after falling two sets behind.
The result guarantees an American player in the 2026 US Open men’s singles final.
For Shelton, the victory represents another major step in his development.
He reached the US Open semi-finals in 2023, but defeating Alcaraz represents an even bigger achievement.
The American had entered the quarter-final with a 0-3 record against Alcaraz. He leaves the match with his first victory over the Spanish star and a place in the last four.
The US Open crowd stayed until the early hours to witness one of the tournament’s most memorable matches.
Shelton now has the chance to go even further.
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