Full Breakdown
Shelton Upsets Alcaraz in Record-Late US Open Quarterfinal
9/9/2026, 10:56:31 AM
Core Event
On September 8, eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York. The match concluded in the early morning, with the final point recorded at 3:33 a.m. (some reports list 3:34 a.m. or 3:35 a.m.). Shelton prevailed 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), advancing to his second US Open semifinal.
Background & Context
Alcaraz entered the tournament as the world No. 2 and two-time US Open champion, returning from a four-month wrist injury layoff. He had extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches and was 15-1 in five-setters before the quarterfinal. The previous latest finish in US Open history was Alcaraz’s 2:50 a.m. win over Jannik Sinner in 2022. An American man had not won a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open title, and Shelton’s victory guaranteed a U.S. finalist for the first time since Roddick.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) (score variations reported).
- Match duration: 4 hours 28 minutes (four-hour-plus marathon).
- Finish time: reported as 3:33 a.m., 3:34 a.m., and 3:35 a.m. across outlets.
- Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam streak ended; his five-set record fell to 15-1.
- Shelton’s first career win over a top-5 seed at a major; his third career Grand Slam semifinal.
Official Statements & Responses
Shelton, after the quarterfinal, emphasized the role of the New York crowd, stating that the fans’ energy kept him focused throughout the late-night battle. Both players highlighted the physical and mental demands of a match that stretched well past midnight.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact tiebreak score in the final set—some list 10-7, others 10-6. The reported finish time also varies by up to two minutes (3:33 a.m., 3:34 a.m., 3:35 a.m.). No outlet provided a definitive official time stamp, leaving a minor discrepancy in the record of the tournament’s latest finish.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For me it’s always about the people in the crowd,” — Ben Shelton, on-court interview
- “For me, it’s always about the crowd, whether it’s my coaches, my friends and family and the city of New York,” — Ben Shelton, on-court interview
- “I’m really happy to see where my level is right now,” — Carlos Alcaraz, post-match press conference
- “I’m just trying to enjoy my time on the court.” — Carlos Alcaraz, on-court interview
- “We practiced together before the tournament. I’ve been watching his matches. I think he’s playing at an extremely high level,” — Ben Shelton, pre-match remarks
- “My team told me if I didn't show up fully focused today that they were going to leave," Shelton said on-court when asked what the difference was in this match.” — Ben Shelton, on-court comment
What’s Next
Shelton’s quarterfinal win sets up a semifinal against fellow American Frances Tiafoe on Friday. The winner of that match will guarantee an American man a place in the US Open final, ending a 23-year title drought for U.S. men’s singles.
