BIG BEN! Shelton stuns Defending Champion Alcaraz in US Open
Ben Shelton has pulled off the biggest win of his career, stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in an incredible US Open quarterfinal.
Shelton had never beaten Alcaraz in three previous meetings, but the American refused to back down after losing a tight opening set. He won nine consecutive games at one point before Alcaraz fought back to force a deciding set.
The fifth set went all the way to a tiebreak, where Shelton finally completed the upset 10-7. He sealed the victory at 3:33 a.m., making it the latest finish in US Open history.
Shelton moves into his third Grand Slam semifinal and second US Open semifinal, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in an all-American showdown.
After the match, Shelton said: “I’m tired. It was a war.” He also called it the most enjoyable match of his career.
The win extends Shelton’s recent run of form, having now won 11 of his last 12 matches, while ending Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
