Shelton beats Alcaraz in late-night epic to reach US Open semis
Shelton beats Alcaraz in late-night epic to reach US Open semis. Figure caption, Shelton reaches semis after beating Alcaraz in five-set epicByHarry PooleBBC Sport journalistPublished9 September 2026, 08:56 BSTUpdated 3 hours agoCarlos Alcaraz's US Open title defence came to an end in a dramatic five-set quarter-final loss to Ben Shelton which ended at 03:34 local time – the latest finish in the tournament's history.
What happened
33am Ben Shelton clinches first-ever victory over top-three opponent as he beats Carlos Alcaraz to set up US Open semi-final showdown with Frances Tiafoe; watch the US Open live on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app Wednesday 9 September 2026 12:37, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of the thrilling US Open quarter-final between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz Ben Shelton clinched the biggest win of his career as he defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set epic stretching deep into the New York night to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.
Skip to content US Open: Ben Shelton beats Carlos Alcaraz in five-set thriller in latest-ever finish to US Open match at 3. " Image: Shelton celebrates his US Open victory over Alcaraz Tiafoe reaches US Open semis in thrilling fightback Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of the US Open quarter-final match between Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen Frances Tiafoe recovered from two sets down and erased a 0-3 deficit in the fifth set to beat American compatriot Alex Michelsen 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (10-6), reaching the semi-finals for a third time.
Shelton reaches semis after beating Alcaraz in five-set epicThis content is not available in your location. Carlos Alcaraz's US Open title defence is over after a dramatic five-set quarter-final loss to Ben Shelton that ends at 03:34 local time – the latest finish in the tournament's history. " Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Watch this insane point from the match between Shelton and Alcaraz Shelton heads into his third Grand Slam semi-final having previously reached the final four of the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.
Skip to main content Skip to navigation Shelton ends Alcaraz's reign in latest US Open finish, sets up semi vs.
The wider picture
Tiafoe5hTiafoe makes semis with stunning US Open comeback last done by Federer14hPegula outlasts Navarro in all-American US Open quarterfinal10hTiafoe, Michelsen share tearful moment at net after US Open thriller13hSabalenka beats Noskova, keeping alive hopes of US Open 3-peat19hNoskova serves in shadow on key point due to roof delay15hSeparating fact from fiction: The influencer controversy at the US Open5dD'Arcy MaineCan Tiafoe carry his epic quarterfinal win with him all the way to a US Open title?
9hD'Arcy MaineLook good, feel good, play good: Inside the US Open's exclusive salon1dAnthony GharibSimone Biles, Suni Lee and more lead celebrity sightings at the 2026 US Open10hESPN StaffZheng Qinwen's improbable run at the US Open2dD'Arcy MaineThe Americans still playing at the US Open3dD'Arcy MaineSeparating fact from fiction: The influencer controversy at the US Open5dD'Arcy MaineplayBen Shelton outlasts Carlos Alcaraz in latest finish in US Open history (1:16)ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsSep 9, 2026, 03:54 AM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBen Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz's title reign in the latest-finishing match in US Open history, pulling out a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory in a marathon tussle that ended at 3:33 a. m.
Alcaraz will have to wait for his next one, as Shelton reached his third major semifinal, having gotten to the final four in the 2023 US Open and 2025 Australian Open. 9hD'Arcy MaineLook good, feel good, play good: Inside the US Open's exclusive salon1dAnthony GharibSimone Biles, Suni Lee and more lead celebrity sightings at the 2026 US Open10hESPN StaffZheng Qinwen's improbable run at the US Open2dD'Arcy MaineThe Americans still playing at the US Open3dD'Arcy MaineSeparating fact from fiction: The influencer controversy at the US Open5dD'Arcy MaineplayFrances Tiafoe completes epic comeback in 5 sets to reach US Open semis (1:38)D'Arcy MaineMultiple AuthorsSep 8, 2026, 11:35 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK — Frances Tiafoe was all but out of the 2026 US Open.
Facing the winner of Tuesday night's clash between Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, and American Ben Shelton, who won the 1000-level title in Montreal last month, Tiafoe will have a Herculean task to reach the final. 9hD'Arcy MaineLook good, feel good, play good: Inside the US Open's exclusive salon1dAnthony GharibSimone Biles, Suni Lee and more lead celebrity sightings at the 2026 US Open10hESPN StaffZheng Qinwen's improbable run at the US Open2dD'Arcy MaineThe Americans still playing at the US Open3dD'Arcy MaineSeparating fact from fiction: The influencer controversy at the US Open5dD'Arcy MaineplayBen Shelton outlasts Carlos Alcaraz in latest finish in US Open history (1:16)D'Arcy MaineMultiple AuthorsSep 9, 2026, 05:04 AM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK — After a wild, drama-filled day of tennis, Tuesday — or more accurately, Wednesday — ended with the biggest stunner of them all.
Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW📱 "For me it's always about the people in the crowd, whether it's my coaches, team or friends and family, or the city of New York that showed up tonight until 3am with the USA chants, that's what kept me going and what got me this win," Shelton said on-court. There was an errorWatch highlights from Ben Shelton's thrilling five-set win over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open which finished at 03:34 local time.
What has been reported
The match between Shelton and Tiafoe on Friday will be the first major meeting in the semifinals or later between Black American men in the Open era. Alcaraz had played in the previous latest finish at the US Open when he outlasted Jannik Sinner in a match that finished at 2:50 a. m. in the 2022 quarterfinals en route to his first Grand Slam title at 19. Alcaraz, who was 25-0 when winning the opening set at the US Open, immediately went over to congratulate him and the two exchanged friendly words.
Shelton had felt positive after his last meeting with Alcaraz — a fourth-round match he lost at the 2025 French Open in four sets — but believed he had improved considerably, with his serve, return and movement. But they have split their two previous US Open clashes, with Shelton defeating Tiafoe in 2023 to reach his first major semifinal and Tiafoe returning the favor the following year in the round of 32. Shelton's quarterfinal win also guarantees a Black American man to reach the final at the US Open for the first time since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first Black American man to play in any major final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996.
Skip to content Menu Home | Sabalenka survives Noskova test to reach US Open semis Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus Image Credits : Reuters Reuters 8 September 2026, 20:26 [SAST] World number one Aryna Sabalenka survived her toughest test of the tournament to beat Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6 7-6 (10-7) on Tuesday and reach the US Open semi-finals for a sixth consecutive year. "That was a war, an epic match, so physical," Shelton said.
What happens next
Shelton was less than a year old when Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003 – but an American finalist is guaranteed when he and Frances Tiafoe meet in Friday's semi-finals. World number three Alcaraz was competing at his first tournament since a lengthy injury lay-off, but that is to take nothing away from Shelton, who produced a phenomenal performance. Seven-time major winner Alcaraz had exceeded expectations on his return after more than four months out with a wrist injury, including sweeping past 20th seed Tommy Paul to reach the last eight.
"Shelton achieves seismic winImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ben Shelton has equalled his best run at a Grand Slam tournamentWhile home hope Shelton had the vast support of the hardy crowd, Alcaraz has always felt at home at Flushing Meadows. The Spaniard had won 28 of his 31 matches at the tournament – the highest win rate at the US Open in the sport's professional era at above 90% – and last year became the first man to reach the final without dropping a set since Roger Federer in 2015.
The Australian Open champion was also on an 18-match unbeaten streak at Grand Slam tournaments, having missed the French Open and Wimbledon with injury, and was seeking to reach his fourth New York semi-final in five years. After ousting Alcaraz, Shelton is now the second-highest ranked player remaining in the draw after world number two Alexander Zverev.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, skysports.com, espn.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.