Shelton ends Alcaraz’s US Open defence in latest finish on record
The eighth seed defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets and will meet Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final.
Ben Shelton has reached the US Open semi-finals after defeating second seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6–7, 6–1, 6–3, 1–6, 7–6 in a quarter-final that finished at 3:33 a.m. ET, according to CBS Sports.
The result ended Alcaraz’s title defence and sent Shelton to his second US Open semi-final. The match was reported as the latest finish in US Open history, although another account placed the conclusion at 3:35 a.m. ET.
Alcaraz entered the match having won three of his previous four Grand Slam tournaments and with a 15–1 record in five-set matches. Shelton’s victory also ended Alcaraz’s run of 13 consecutive wins against American opponents.
Shelton will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. Tiafoe advanced after recovering from two sets down against Alex Michelsen.
The all-American pairing guarantees an American man a place in the final, with Shelton’s win setting up the tournament’s next major contest after a quarter-final that extended deep into the morning.
