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Ben Shelton stuns Alcaraz to reach US Open semis

9/9/2026

Summary

Shelton Upsets Alcaraz

Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal.
The match ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest US Open finish on record.
Shelton sealed victory with a 146 mph ace, ending Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
Aryna Sabalenka beat Linda Noskova 7-6(7/1), 3-6, 7-6(10/7) to reach a sixth straight semifinal.
Frances Tiafoe defeated Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) to set up a semifinal against Shelton.

Summary

Pegula Quarterfinal Win

Pegula earned $1.45 million in prize money for her quarterfinal win over Navarro.
Her parents Terry and Kim, owners of the Buffalo Sabres and Bills, have a net worth around $12 billion.
At 32, Pegula could become the second-oldest woman to win her first Grand Slam, after Flavia Pennetta.
A world No. 1 ranking remains possible for Pegula if Elena Rybakina wins her quarterfinal.

History

Historical Context

Today's unexpected US Open upset mirrors Serena Williams' 1999 breakthrough, when she defeated Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6 to win her first Grand Slam at the tournament’s 119th edition (Aug 30–Sep 12, 1999). Her victory marked the first singles major for an African-American woman since Althea Gibson in 1958, underscoring the event’s role in reshaping tennis hierarchies.

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Shelton Upsets Alcaraz

Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarterfinal.
The match ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest US Open finish on record.
Shelton sealed victory with a 146 mph ace, ending Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
Aryna Sabalenka beat Linda Noskova 7-6(7/1), 3-6, 7-6(10/7) to reach a sixth straight semifinal.
Frances Tiafoe defeated Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) to set up a semifinal against Shelton.

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