Ben Shelton has just produced the biggest win of his career. The American stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in the US Open 2026 quarterfinal that became the most late-finish in tournament history. After more than four hours of exhausting tennis and a deciding-set tiebreak, Shelton finally got over the line to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows.
It was a victory that looked increasingly possible as the night wore on, but Shelton still had to hold his nerve against one of the best players in the world.
Shelton d. Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(7)
WOW.
BEN SHELTON KNOCKS OUT THE DEFENDING CHAMPION.
THE WIN OF HIS LIFE.
The latest finish ever at the US Open.
He was 0-3 against Carlos coming into the match.
He’s into the semifinals here for the first time since 2023.… pic.twitter.com/kXoR20gGbW
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2026
Ben Shelton Ends Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open Title Defence
Shelton came into the quarterfinal having lost all three of his previous meetings with Alcaraz. This time, however, the American refused to let that record define the match.
Alcaraz took the opening set in a tight tiebreak, but Shelton immediately changed the match. He swept through the second set 6-1, then followed it with a 6-3 third to move within one set of a huge upset.
Alcaraz answered in champion-like fashion, taking the fourth 6-1 to force a deciding set. Neither player could separate himself in the fifth, sending the match into another tiebreak.
Shelton held his nerve there, winning 7-6(7) to complete the upset.
Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/VgJYW2f9mK
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2026
 Shelton Reaches US Open Semifinal: In Numbers
The victory sends Shelton into his third Grand Slam semifinal and his first at the US Open since his breakthrough run in 2023.
It also marks his third top-10 win of 2026 and extends his remarkable recent run to 11 victories in his last 12 matches.
The numbers tell the story of a match decided by fine margins. Shelton hit 34 winners to Alcaraz’s 38, but the American made just 35 unforced errors, compared with 53 from the Spaniard.
Shelton also won 57% of his second-serve points, compared with Alcaraz’s 51%, while taking 38% of receiving points against Alcaraz’s 35%.
Most importantly, Shelton won 169 total points to Alcaraz’s 164.
And after a night that stretched into the early hours of the morning, Big Ben had the final word.
