Ben Shelton stuns defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open

In the early hours of September 9 US time, Arthur Ashe Stadium witnessed one of the biggest shocks in US Open history when American Ben Shelton defeated defending champion and top seed Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 in a gripping five-set thriller. This is not the first time Shelton has made people marvel, but defeating a seven-time Grand Slam champion right in New York might be the biggest turning point in the 20-year-old's career. The match was scheduled late in the day, starting at 11:05 PM Tuesday and ending at 3:33 AM Wednesday – the latest-finishing match in US Open history. Despite lasting 4 hours and 28 minutes, Shelton showed remarkable fitness and a tireless fighting spirit. In contrast, Alcaraz showed signs of fatigue and even vomited during a break, raising concerns about the physical condition of the Spanish defending champion. From the first set, Alcaraz displayed the sharpness of a player who has conquered many Grand Slams. He won the tiebreak, sending the crowd into celebration. But in the second and third sets, Shelton tightened his game. He served aggressively and handled Alcaraz's powerful forehands well from the baseline. Alcaraz seemed to lose patience and made too many unforced errors, especially on his forehand – his trademark shot. According to match statistics, Alcaraz's unforced errors on the forehand were very high, something rarely seen from him. This suggests his wrist might not have fully recovered after surgery earlier in the season. Coming back after nearly five months away appears to have affected his ball feel and confidence. Shelton took full advantage of Alcaraz's inconsistency. He served well and won key points in short rallies. Even when Alcaraz claimed the fourth set to force a decider, Shelton stayed composed. In the fifth set, the two battled fiercely for 12 games before a deciding tiebreak. Shelton emerged victorious 10-7, closing one of the tournament's most emotional matches. This victory carries enormous historical weight for American tennis. It marks the first time since 2026 – when Andy Roddick won the US Open – that an American man has a genuine chance to win a Grand Slam. Shelton will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal, guaranteeing an American finalist. The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe throughout the match was electric; it reflected the hunger of the home crowd for a male American champion. Tactically, the match was also a harsh lesson for Alcaraz. Shelton proved his brilliant adaptability. He did not try to out-rally Alcaraz; instead he varied his play, exploited the opponent's errors, and maintained constant pressure. Alcaraz, meanwhile, fell into endless baseline exchanges and made poor decisions at crucial points – a rare image of the player renowned for controlling the game. Shelton effectively targeted Alcaraz's weakness that evening. Alcaraz's forehand, usually a deadly weapon, became his Achilles' heel. He missed many routine forehands, even from easy positions, gifting points to Shelton. This points to a temporary technical regression, likely tied to his wrist rehab. For Shelton, he proved his maturity. After losing the opening set, he did not panic; instead he played better and better. His solid returns, court movement, and above all physical concentration over four hours were outstanding. In the decisive tiebreak, Shelton held his nerves better than the older opponent, securing his place in the semifinals. For Alcaraz, the loss is a costly wake-up call. Entering the match, he had a 13-0 record against American men in Grand Slams – an impressive streak now ended. But the defeat cannot be blamed only on his opponent; it also highlights flaws in his physical conditioning and tactical approach. Playing until the early hours after multiple demanding sets showed that the champion is not yet at his peak following injury. The late finish was also a controversial talking point. Both players had to compete overnight, but Shelton adjusted much better. He used the home-court energy to his advantage and maintained positive momentum, while Alcaraz showed clear signs of fatigue, physically and mentally. Looking ahead, Shelton's triumph might signal a new era for American tennis. With two Americans – Shelton and Tiafoe – reaching the semifinals at the US Open, the resurgence of the younger generation is clear. Shelton now prepares for an all-American clash with Tiafoe, a rare semifinal at the US Open. Riding the high of his upset win, Shelton will step onto the court with great confidence. He is proving that a Grand Slam title is within reach for American men once again. As for Alcaraz, he leaves the tournament earlier than expected. Many experts, however, believe this is just a necessary pause to reassess his recovery and refine his game. With his immense talent, a return to the top is surely possible. For Shelton, the journey at the US Open 2026 is a real-life fairytale. He is the great hope for America, and fans are waiting for a day – possibly this year – when the American national anthem is played again in a men's Grand Slam final.