An Upset for the Ages
In the early hours of September 9, 2026, Arthur Ashe Stadium witnessed one of the great US Open upsets as American Ben Shelton dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon quarterfinal.. The match, which became the latest-finishing contest
in tournament history, ended at 3:33 a.m. after four hours and 28 minutes of electrifying tennis.. Shelton triumphed 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a gripping five-setter.. The 23-year-old American played with a potent combination of power and poise, weathering an initial set loss and a fourth-set resurgence from Alcaraz.. At one point, Shelton won an incredible nine straight games, leaving the Spanish superstar looking uncharacteristically frustrated and unable to find answers.. He ultimately sealed the monumental victory with a blistering 146 mph ace, sending the roaring home crowd into a frenzy..
The End of an Incredible Streak
The loss for Alcaraz was more than just a quarterfinal exit; it snapped an 18-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments.. So, when did the seven-time major champion last taste defeat on the sport's biggest stage? You have to go all the way back to the 2025 Wimbledon final, where he was beaten by his great rival, Jannik Sinner.. Following that loss, Alcaraz embarked on a remarkable run of invincibility in the majors. He stormed to the 2025 US Open title and followed that up by winning the 2026 Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.. His victory over Shelton marked the first time an American had beaten Alcaraz at a major tournament.. The defeat also continued a curious trend at Flushing Meadows: no man has successfully defended the US Open singles title since Roger Federer in 2008..
Shelton's Statement Win
While much of the narrative focuses on Alcaraz's ended streak, the night firmly belonged to Ben Shelton. This victory was his first-ever against a top-three ranked player and his first against Alcaraz in four attempts.. Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, the American has been on a rapid ascent since turning professional in 2022.. Known for his explosive left-handed serve and dynamic, crowd-pleasing style, Shelton has now reached the semifinals at the US Open for the second time in his career, having also made the final four in 2023.. This win wasn't a fluke; Shelton matched Alcaraz's firepower and swagger, hitting 34 winners and demonstrating a newfound resilience to clinch the biggest triumph of his career.. His performance ensures an American man will be in the final, as he is set to face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals..
A Comeback Cut Short
For Carlos Alcaraz, the loss was a painful end to what had been a promising comeback. The US Open was his first tournament in over four months after being sidelined with a right wrist injury that forced him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon.. Despite the long layoff, Alcaraz looked dominant in his early-round matches, fueling expectations that he could defend his crown.. Even in defeat, the Spaniard was gracious, giving full credit to his opponent.. He admitted to feeling physically tired after the third set but was proud of how he fought back to force a decider.. Though the result was heartbreaking, Alcaraz said he was leaving New York happy and healthy, having proven to himself that his body could again withstand the rigors of a five-set Grand Slam battle..
