Story perspectives

Ben Shelton stuns Alcaraz in US Open thriller

9/9/2026

Summary

Shelton Upsets Alcaraz

Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in the US Open quarterfinal.
The match finished at 3:33 a.m. ET, the latest US Open finish ever.
It lasted 4 hours 28 minutes, the longest quarterfinal in tournament history.
Shelton’s win gave him his first top-5 seed victory and a semifinal against Frances Tiafoe.
Shelton sealed the final-set tiebreak with a 146-mph ace, ending Alcaraz’s 15-1 five-set record.

Summary

Rodman Turns Heads

Trinity Rodman attended Shelton’s quarterfinal, drawing attention with her orange hat and Adidas jacket.
Fans posted praise for Rodman’s outfit on X, and social-media comments said it boosted Shelton’s confidence.
Actor Matthew McConaughey gasped when Alcaraz’s forehand landed perfectly during the Paul match, and viral clips spread from the moment.
Former player Patrick McEnroe said he was “picking Big Ben” and urged an end to the American men’s major drought.
Shelton took an extra practice session on the empty courts after his Tsitsipas win, and Alcaraz said he plans to schedule more breaks throughout the season after his wrist-injury comeback.

History

Historical Context

At the 2001 US Open, Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi 6-7(7-9), 7-6(7-2), 7-6(7-2), 7-6(7-5) in a quarter-final with no service breaks, marking the 34th meeting of their rivalry in which Sampras led 20-14. The tournament’s shift to 32 seeds foreshadowed Sampras’s record-tying 14th major at the 2002 US Open, underscoring the push to revive American men’s tennis.

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Shelton Upsets Alcaraz

Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in the US Open quarterfinal.
The match finished at 3:33 a.m. ET, the latest US Open finish ever.
It lasted 4 hours 28 minutes, the longest quarterfinal in tournament history.
Shelton’s win gave him his first top-5 seed victory and a semifinal against Frances Tiafoe.
Shelton sealed the final-set tiebreak with a 146-mph ace, ending Alcaraz’s 15-1 five-set record.

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