Ben Shelton secured a monumental victory over Carlos Alcaraz during a grueling quarterfinal at the U.S. Open. The match, which concluded in the early hours of Wednesday morning, ended an 18-match Grand Slam winning streak for the Spaniard.
A 3:33 a.m. finish that eclipses Alcaraz's 2022 record
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center witnessed a historic moment as the match concluded at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday. This timing sets a new benchmark for the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, surpassing the previous record held by Carlos Alcaraz himself. In the 2022 quarterfinals, Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a match that ended at 2:50 a.m. on his way to his first Grand Slam title.
As the report notes, the atmosphere within Arthur Ashe Stadium remained electric despite the hour. thousands of spectators stayed until the final point,providing a significant home-court advantage for Shelton. The American player was buoyed by a crowd that repeatedly chanted "USA! USA!" as he fought to overcome the defending champion.
The 146 mph serve and the 9-game momentum shift
Ben Shelton managed to navigate a 4-hour, 28-minute ordeal by utilizing extreme power, eventually winning the match 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6. A critical turning point occurred when Shelton seized control of the match by winning nine consecutive games,spanning from the early stages of the second set through the start of the third.
The final set tiebreaker highlighted the physical disparity between the two players. While Carlos Alcaraz initially surged to a 5-3 lead in the tiebreaker,Shelton responded with high-velocity serves. According to the match details, Shelton ultimately sealed the victory with a 146 mph serve that Alcaraz could not return. This victory comes as Alcaraz attempts to find his rhythm following a right wrist injury that kept him away from competition since April.
Chasing Andy Roddick's 2003 legacy in New York
Shelton's performance has reignited hopes for a domestic victory in a tournament that has seen a long drought for American men.. The United States is currently searching for its first men's major title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at the U.S.. Open in 2003. By reaching his third major semifinal—following his previous runs at the 2023 U.S. Open and the 2025 Australian Open—Shelton has positioneed himself as a legitimate contender for this historic milestone.
The intensity of the day was not limited to the men's draw. The tournament saw other marathon efforts, including Aryna Sabalenka's hard-fought victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. However, the spotlight remains firmly on the men's side as the U.S. looks for a homegrown champion to end a two-decade wait for a major title.
Questions regardng Alcaraz's wrist and Shelton's clash with Tiafoe
While the victory is a career highlight for Ben Shelton, several uncertainties remain regarding the physical toll of such a late-night marathon. It is currently unknown how the 3:33 a.m. finish will affect Shelton's readiness for his upocming semifinal match against the No. 11 seed, Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe enters the match with significant momentum after defeating Alex Michelsen in a five-set battle on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the full extent of Carlos Alcaraz's physical condition remains unverified. While the report mentions that Alcaraz vomited before the start of the final set, it is unclear if this was a result of the intense heat, the physical exertion, or a complication from his ongoing wrist injury. The tournament's outcome may depend heavily on whether these players can recover from the grueling physical demands of this quarterfinal round.
Comments 0