Ben Shelton Stuns Carlos Alcaraz in Record-Setting U.S. Open Match

Ben Shelton defeats Carlos Alcaraz in record-breaking U.S. Open match, ending his Grand Slam streak.

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz’s U.S. Open title run in the longest match in tournament history, securing a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory that concluded at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday.

The win marked the end of Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak and came after a grueling four hours and 28 minutes of play. Shelton will now face No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe, who advanced to his third U.S. Open semifinal with a hard-fought 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) victory over Alex Michelsen on Tuesday.

With this result, the U.S. is guaranteed to have a player in Sunday’s final, as it seeks its first men’s major title since Andy Roddick won here in 2003. Alcaraz had previously set the late-night mark in 2022 when he defeated Jannik Sinner in a quarterfinal that ended at 2:50 a.m. Shelton, fueled by a vocal home crowd, received enthusiastic support from fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, who chanted his name and cheered for

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