Shelton stuns Alcaraz in record-setting US Open marathon

Ben Shelton has advanced to his third major semi-final after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarter-final that set a new record for the latest finish in US Open history. The match, which began just after 11 p.m. Eastern Time, concluded at 3:33 a.m. ET on Wednesday, lasting four hours and 28 minutes.

The victory ended Alcaraz’s 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments and his bid to retain the title. Shelton, ranked world No. 9, prevailed with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). According to ESPN, the result makes Shelton the first American to beat the defending US Open champion in five sets since Peter Sampras defeated Mats Wilander in 1989.

The contest featured a dramatic final set in which Alcaraz, returning from a right wrist injury, vomited before the start of the set. Despite this, the Spaniard rallied to lead the tie-break 5-3 before Shelton recovered. Shelton ultimately sealed the match with a 146 mph serve that Alcaraz could not return, capitalising on a home-crowd boost from fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Shelton will face No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals on Friday. Tiafoe secured his place in the final four by defeating Alex Michelsen in five sets on Tuesday. This upcoming match is notable as the first major meeting in the semi-finals or later between Black American men in the Open era.

The result guarantees that the United States will have a representative in Sunday’s final, as the country seeks its first men’s major title since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. One of the two finalists will become the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.

The marathon nature of the quarter-finals was evident across the tournament, with three of the four singles matches going to match tie-breakers. The previous latest finish in US Open history occurred in 2022 when Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner at 2:50 a.m. ET.