Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history, closing out a 4-hour, 28-minute quarterfinal marathon at 3:33 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
A Late-Night Marathon and a Historic Finish at Arthur Ashe Stadium
The clock read 3:33 a.m. in Queens on Wednesday morning when Ben Shelton fired a 146 mph ace past Carlos Alcaraz to settle the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history. Thousands of fans remained in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch the conclusion of a five-set quarterfinal thriller that lasted four hours and 28 minutes.
Shelton claimed the victory by a score of 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), snapping Alcaraz’s 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments. The previous late-finish record at the tournament belonged to a 2:50 a.m. quarterfinal in 2022 where Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner on his way to his first major title.
“I’m tired. It was a war.”
Ben Shelton, via Associated Press
How Shelton Overturned the Defending Champion
Alcaraz took the opening set in a tight tiebreaker, but Shelton seized control by winning nine straight games spanning from early in the second set to a 3-0 lead in the third. Alcaraz, playing in his first tournament since April following a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury, dug deep despite vomiting before the start of the final set.
In the deciding fifth set, neither player broke serve, forcing a 10-point tiebreaker. Alcaraz surged ahead 5-3 in the tiebreaker before Shelton reeled off the closing points, sealing the match with his booming serve.
“Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport. It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure.”
Ben Shelton, via Associated Press
Gracious Exit and Crowd Energy in Queens
Despite seeing his title defense end in the early morning hours, Alcaraz offered an upbeat assessment when speaking to reporters in the hallway.
“I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile. I am proud of myself, how I fought.”
Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion
Shelton acknowledged the role of the partisan New York crowd, where spectators chanted his name and shouted “USA! USA!” until the final point.
“It’s incredible, I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world … that this is the greatest stadium in the world. I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours.”
Ben Shelton, tournament semifinalist
Semifinal Outlook and the Quest to End the U.S. Drought
With the victory, Shelton advances to face No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal on Friday. Tiafoe advanced after staging a comeback victory over Alex Michelsen on Tuesday.
The result guarantees that an American man will play in Sunday’s final, putting the United States one step closer to its first men’s major singles title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003.
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