American Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, concluding at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday. The five-set quarterfinal lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes, surpassing the previous record set by Alcaraz himself in 2022.
Shelton’s victory secures his spot in the semifinals, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe. The win also marks the first time since 2003 that an American man has reached a Grand Slam final, ending a 21-year drought. Alcaraz’s 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments was halted by the defeat, which came after he returned from a right wrist injury that sidelined him since April.
The Match Timeline
The contest began at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday and stretched into the early hours, with the decisive fifth set ending just after 3 a.m. Shelton’s 146-mph ace sealed the match, prompting an emotional celebration on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Alcaraz, visibly fatigued, was seen vomiting into a towel during a break between the fourth and fifth sets. Despite the setback, he rallied to force a deciding set, trading blows with Shelton for 12 consecutive games before the American prevailed in the final-set tiebreak.
Reactions and Context
Shelton credited the home crowd’s support for his performance, noting the chants of “USA! USA!” that echoed through the stadium until the final point. “Whether it’s my coaches and my team there, all my family and friends here, or the city of New York that showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end,” he said. “That’s what kept me going.”
Alcaraz, reflecting on the match, acknowledged Shelton’s resilience. “It was a war,” he said. “Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport. It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure.”
Broader Implications
The victory sets up an all-American semifinal for the first time since 1995, when Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi faced off. The U.S. Open has increasingly become known for its late-night duels, with three of Tuesday’s four singles quarterfinal matches extending past 2 a.m. local time.
Shelton, 21, advances to his third major semifinal, while Alcaraz will look to regain the form that made him the sport’s leading light before his injury. The defending champion’s return to competition has been closely watched, and his loss raises questions about his readiness for future tournaments.
Historical Context
The match’s conclusion at 3:33 a.m. marks the latest finish in U.S. Open history, surpassing the previous record of 2:50 a.m. set by Alcaraz in the 2022 quarterfinals. The tournament’s scheduling has drawn debate, with critics questioning the feasibility of such late finishes for players and spectators alike.
For Shelton, the win represents a career-defining moment, while for Alcaraz, it underscores the challenges of returning from injury at the highest level.