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Shelton Stuns Alcaraz in US Open Quarter-Final, Sets Up All-American Semi-Final
Confirmed
In Short: Ben Shelton overcame a tough match to defeat third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller, setting up an American semi-final for the first time since 2003.
Shelton produced one of the biggest wins of his career, stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set quarter-final at the US Open. The match, which lasted four hours and 28 minutes, ended at 3:33 AM local time on Wednesday, becoming the latest-finishing match in US Open history.
In a back-and-forth contest, Alcaraz started brightly by winning the first set but Shelton pushed the seven-time Grand Slam winner into a string of unforced errors. Despite Alcaraz's comeback in the fourth set, Shelton held his nerve in the final set tie-break to secure the victory with a scoreline of 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10/6).
Shelton, the highest-seeded American men's singles player in the final Grand Slam of the year, will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the last four, setting up the prospect of an American finalist for the first time since 2003. The crowd's support played a significant role in Shelton's victory, with the home favourite racing to win the second and third sets.
Following the win, Shelton credited the crowd's support and his own determination for pulling through the thrilling contest. He said, 'To be here in front of you guys tonight is an absolute honour,' in his on-court interview.
What's still developing
- He showed flashes of his usual tenacity and comeback spirit, but it was not enough to see Alcaraz over the line this time.
- In a battle of two 23-year-old talents, Alcaraz came back to win the fourth set and take the match to the deciding fifth set but struggled to sustain his comeback.
- However, Alcaraz pushed the home favourite until the end but fell short when the fifth set was forced into a tie-break.
- The four-hour, 28-minute contest became the latest-finishing match in US Open history, surpassing the previous record of 2:50 a.m., which was set exactly two years ago when Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in a five-set quarter-final, according to the ATP website.
- Alcaraz, meanwhile, was playing his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff.
- This time, however, Alcaraz could not produce another late-night escape as Shelton held his nerve in the deciding Match Tie-break to complete a stunning upset and book his place in the semi-finals.