US Open: Shelton Stuns Alcaraz; Tendulkar Says ‘That Was Some Tennis!’

At 3:33 am in New York, Ben Shelton finally had his breakthrough. After five sets and four hours, 28 minutes of wildly shifting fortunes, the American knocked defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open. Watching the drama unfold, Sachin Tendulkar had a verdict: “That was some tennis!”

Shelton prevailed 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10/7), holding his nerve in the deciding tie-break to reach his first US Open semi-final since 2023.

The contest became the latest-finishing match in the tournament’s history, according to the ATP website, surpassing the previous benchmark of 2:50 am from Alcaraz’s five-set quarter-final victory over Jannik Sinner.

This time, the defending champion could not find another late-night escape.

Five sets, repeated fightbacks

Alcaraz took the opening set in a tie-break before Shelton seized control, conceding just four games across the next two sets. The Spaniard responded with a 6-1 fourth set to force a decider.

After another tightly contested set, Shelton won the final tie-break 10-7 to complete one of the biggest victories of his career.

Tendulkar’s reaction captured the uncertainty that ran through the contest.

“Every time it looked like one of them had the match, the other fought his way back. And then it came down to the final few points,” he wrote on X.

“Well played, Ben Shelton! Tough luck, Carlos. Coming back after an injury makes this one even tougher.”

Shelton vs Tiafoe: An all-American semi-final

Shelton will next face 11th seed Frances Tiafoe, with both players pursuing their first Grand Slam final appearance.

The 23-year-old leads their head-to-head record 3-1, though they have split their two US Open meetings. Shelton won their 2023 quarter-final, while Tiafoe took their third-round encounter in 2024.

Shelton’s latest victory extended his strong North American hard-court run to 13 wins in 15 matches. He won his second ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal and now holds a 38-13 record for the 2026 season.

For Alcaraz, the defeat halted a promising return after four months out with injury. Playing his first tournament since the layoff, he had dropped only one set on his way to the quarter-finals.

He arrived in New York on an 18-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments, the longest of his career. That run included the 2025 US Open title and this year’s Australian Open crown, which made him the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Shelton ended his pursuit of an eighth major title and his attempt to become the first man since Roger Federer to successfully defend the US Open crown.

For the American, the next challenge is closer to home: a familiar rival and one win separating him from a first Grand Slam final.

With inputs from ANI