Ben Shelton ousts Carlos Alcaraz in historic US Open finish

Ben Shelton has removed defending champion Carlos Alcaraz from the US Open and set up an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe. His victory also guarantees an American presence in the men’s final, strengthening hopes of the country’s first Grand Slam men’s singles champion since 2003.

Shelton prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 after four hours and 28 minutes, with the deciding tie-break ending 10-7. The match began at 11:05pm on Tuesday and finished at 3:33am Wednesday, making it the latest completed contest in US Open history.

The result ended Alcaraz’s perfect record against American players at the four Grand Slam tournaments. The Spaniard had won 13 straight such matches, but Shelton recovered from losing the opening tie-break to take control in the second and third sets. Alcaraz forced a decider by winning the fourth 6-1, before Shelton held firm through all 12 games of the final set and prevailed in the tie-break.

Alcaraz was playing his first US Open since a wrist injury kept him away for about five months. The defeat ended the campaign of a player with seven major titles, while Shelton advanced to a meeting with Tiafoe after a marathon finish that kept spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium into the early morning.