Ben Shelton Defeats Alcaraz in U.S. Open’s Latest Ever Finish

Ben Shelton defeats Alcaraz in U.S. Open's latest finish, advancing to semifinals against Tiafoe.

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Ben Shelton delivered a stunning performance to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a record-breaking U.S. Open quarterfinal that ended at 3:35 a.m.

The American player, seeded eighth, overcame a tough challenge from the second seed, who had returned to competition after a long injury layoff. The match, filled with high-energy exchanges, saw Shelton take control in the second and third sets before Alcaraz fought back to force a fifth set.

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In a thrilling final set tiebreaker, Shelton secured a 10-7 victory, sending him to the semifinals where he will face fellow American Francis Tiafoe. This win marks the latest-ever finish in U.S. Open history, surpassing a previous record set by Alcaraz in 2022.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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