American tennis star Ben Shelton pulled off a major upset at the 2026 US Open, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarterfinal.
Shelton won 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, securing his place in the semifinals after one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.
Shelton Ends Alcaraz’s Grand Slam Winning Streak
The defeat ended Alcaraz’s impressive run of 18 consecutive Grand Slam victories.
Shelton delivered a powerful performance, particularly with his serve and aggressive groundstrokes, to record his first career victory over Alcaraz in their fourth meeting.
The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes and finished at 3:33 a.m. local time in New York, making it the latest-ending match in US Open history.
Shelton’s Comical Celebration
After securing the biggest victory of his career, Shelton celebrated with the New York crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He then delivered a humorous message to his friend and sister in the stands, joking that he hoped they would not have to go to work at 6 a.m. after staying up to watch the marathon match.
Shelton also spoke proudly about competing against Alcaraz, describing the encounter as an extraordinary experience and saying he enjoyed every moment of the tournament.
Shelton Sets Up All-American Semifinal
Shelton will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinals.
Tiafoe reached the last four after defeating fellow American Alex Michelsen in another five-set thriller, guaranteeing that an American player will reach the men’s singles final.
The semifinal will mark Shelton’s third Grand Slam semifinal appearance, following his runs at the 2023 US Open and 2025 Australian Open.
Alcaraz Leaves New York Proud
Alcaraz praised Shelton after the defeat and said he remained proud of his performance despite facing physical difficulties during the match.
The US Open marked Alcaraz’s return to competition after a four-and-a-half-month absence caused by a right wrist injury. Despite losing his title defense, the Spaniard said he left the court happy and proud of his fight.
Shelton Continues His American Dream
Shelton now moves into the semifinals with strong home support behind him as he attempts to reach his first US Open final.
With both Shelton and Tiafoe reaching the last four, American tennis has secured a strong presence in the final stages of the tournament.
Who eliminated Carlos Alcaraz from the 2026 US Open?
American Ben Shelton defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
What was the score between Shelton and Alcaraz?
Shelton won 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6.
Who will Ben Shelton face in the semifinal?
Shelton will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
How long did Shelton vs. Alcaraz last?
The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes.
Has Shelton reached a Grand Slam semifinal before?
Yes. He previously reached the semifinals at the 2023 US Open and 2025 Australian Open.
