The U.S. Open has seen its share of dramatic finishes, but none quite like this. In a quarterfinal that stretched into the early hours of the morning, Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller that ended at 3:35 a.m., marking the latest finish in the tournament’s history.
A Match for the Ages
Shelton, the 8th seed, came from behind to win 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-6(10-7) in front of a raucous New York crowd. The match was a showcase of raw power and resilience, with both players trading blistering serves and highlight-reel rallies.
Alcaraz, who missed much of the season with a wrist injury, took the first set in a tiebreak. But Shelton responded by winning the next two sets, each also decided by a tiebreak. Alcaraz then dominated the fourth set 6-1, setting up a decisive fifth set that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final point.
Historic Late-Night Finish
The fifth set was a grueling battle, with neither player able to break the other’s serve. The match ultimately came down to a tiebreak, which Shelton won 10-7, sealing his place in the semifinals.
The finish surpassed the previous record for the latest U.S. Open match, which was also set by Alcaraz in 2022 when he faced Jannik Sinner in a quarterfinal that ended at 2:50 a.m. That victory propelled Alcaraz to his first U.S. Open title.
American Semifinal Showdown
Shelton’s victory sets up an all-American semifinal against Francis Tiafoe, guaranteeing that a U.S. men’s player will reach the final for the first time since Andy Roddick won the title in 2003. The match is scheduled to be a highlight of the tournament, with both players aiming to end the long drought for American men’s tennis.
As the sun began to rise over Flushing Meadows, Shelton’s triumph stood as a testament to his endurance and determination. The young American has now firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the biggest stage.