New York — American tennis hopeful Ben Shelton delivered a thrilling victory for U.S. fans on Tuesday night, overcoming world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the longest‑ever finish in US Open history. The quarterfinal match stretched to 4 hours 28 minutes, finally concluding at 3:33 a.m. local time in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Epic five‑set showdown
Alcaraz started strong, capturing the first‑set tiebreak 7‑5. Shelton responded with a dominant second set, 6‑1, and followed with a 6‑3 third set to take a 2‑1 lead. The Spaniard fought back in the fourth, winning 6‑1 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
The final set remained deadlocked until a tiebreak decided the outcome. Shelton’s 146‑mph serve proved decisive, and he edged the tiebreak 7‑5 to claim the match 6‑7(5), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6(7). The win marked Shelton’s first triumph over a top‑3 opponent and propelled him into his third Grand Slam semifinal.
Home‑court support fuels the win
Speaking after the match, Shelton praised the electric atmosphere created by the New York crowd. “It’s incredible,” he said. “I always say this is the greatest sports city in the world, the greatest stadium in the world.” He added that the chants of “U‑S‑A” and the unwavering support from fans, family, and his coaching team kept him focused through the grueling night.
Stat line and future matchup
Shelton’s performance was remarkably clean: he committed only 35 unforced errors while delivering 34 winners. His next opponent will be fellow American Frances Tiafoe, guaranteeing an all‑American semifinal and a strong chance for a U.S. man in the final – a feat not seen since Andy Roddick’s 2003 major victory.
Alcaraz’s season context
For Alcaraz, the loss ends a challenging season marred by injuries that forced him to miss Wimbledon and the French Open. He entered the US Open as the defending champion after capturing the Australian Open title earlier this year, his seventh major overall. Despite the disappointment, Alcaraz remained gracious, smiling and waving to the remaining spectators as he left the court.
“I’m just a bit disappointed not to get the win at the end,” he told reporters. “I’m happy, I’m proud of myself. After the first set I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself. Shelton is an unbelievable player, powerful. Credit to him.”
What this means for U.S. tennis
Shelton’s breakthrough underscores a resurgence of American men’s tennis on the world stage. With two Americans now in the semifinals, the United States enjoys a realistic shot at a home‑grown champion – a prospect that has eluded the nation for over two decades.
The match also highlighted the stamina and mental toughness required at the highest level of the sport. Fans and analysts alike praised both competitors for their perseverance, noting that the marathon test will be remembered as a classic US Open moment for years to come.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
