Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a second consecutive US Open crown ended on Wednesday after a heartbreaking defeat to Ben Shelton at the Flushing Meadows. In one of the all-time matches that last nearly 4:30 hours, Shelton needed a tie-breaker to advance to the semi-finals. Ben Shelton will now meet Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final on Friday.
Ben Shelton produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic five-set thriller. The American prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 to book his place in the last four. Shelton showed remarkable composure under pressure to knock out the defending champion.
The match ebbed and flowed from the opening set, with both players trading momentum throughout the contest. Alcaraz edged the first-set tiebreak before Shelton responded emphatically, taking the second and third sets to move within one set of victory. The Spaniard refused to surrender, winning the fourth set 6-1 and forcing a decisive fifth.
The final set delivered the drama expected from two of the sport's biggest stars, with neither player able to establish a decisive advantage. After both players held their nerve, the contest eventually went to a deciding tiebreak to determine who would advance to the semifinals. Shelton kept his composure when it mattered most, securing the tiebreak and completing a memorable victory.
The win marks a significant milestone for Shelton, who has now reached the tournament's final four after overcoming one of the toughest challenges in the draw. His aggressive play and ability to recover from setbacks proved decisive during the five-set battle. Alcaraz, meanwhile, saw his title defense come to an unexpected end after a contest that lasted deep into the deciding set.
