Ben Shelton Ends Alcaraz's US Open Title Defence To Become First American To Beat Him at a Major

Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz's US Open title defence with a five‑set quarter‑final victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium, becoming the first American to beat the Spaniard at a Grand Slam. The No 8 seed won 6‑7 (5), 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6, taking the deciding tie‑break 10‑7.

The result sends Shelton into an all‑American semi‑final against Frances Tiafoe on Friday. It also guarantees an American finalist in the men's singles for the second time in three years.

Shelton Makes History Against Alcaraz

Shelton became the first American to defeat Alcaraz at a Grand Slam, ending the Spaniard's 13‑0 record against US opponents at majors. He sealed the four‑hour, 28‑minute contest with a 146mph ace at 3.33am, the latest finish in US Open history.

Alcaraz won the opening set in a tie‑break before Shelton controlled the next two. The defending champion forced a decider by winning the fourth set 6‑1, but Shelton recovered and held his nerve in the final tie‑break.

The victory ended Alcaraz's 18‑match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments. The 23‑year‑old had returned to competition in New York after more than four months out with a right wrist injury.

Shelton entered the quarter‑final without a win in three previous meetings with Alcaraz. Afterwards, he said he was 'so grateful, so blessed' and called sharing the court with the Spaniard 'an absolute honour'.

All-American Semi-Final Guarantees Home Finalist

Tiafoe secured his place in the last four after another five‑set contest. The No 11 seed came back from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 5‑7, 3‑6, 7‑5, 6‑3, 7‑6, winning the match tie‑break 10‑6.

The comeback gave Tiafoe his third Grand Slam semi‑final, with all three coming at the US Open. Shelton is also through to his third major semi‑final after reaching the same stage in New York in 2023 and at the 2025 Australian Open.

Their meeting ensures an American will contest Sunday's men's final. Taylor Fritz was the last US man to reach the championship match, losing to Jannik Sinner in 2024.

Andy Roddick remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title after his 2003 US Open triumph. No American man has won a major singles crown since that victory.

The guaranteed finalist follows a strong tournament for the home contingent.

Six Americans reached the singles quarter‑finals across the men's and women's draws, the highest total at the US Open since 2002.

Shelton, Tiafoe and Michelsen made the men's last eight. Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro reached the women's quarter‑finals.

Shelton and Tiafoe Renew US Open Rivalry

Shelton and Tiafoe have already met twice at Flushing Meadows. Shelton beat Tiafoe in four sets in the 2023 quarter‑finals, becoming the youngest American man to reach the US Open semi‑finals since Michael Chang in 1992.

Tiafoe responded a year later with a five‑set victory over Shelton in the third round. Their 2026 semi‑final will decide which American earns another chance to end the country's long wait for a men's Grand Slam singles champion.

Shelton arrived in New York as the highest‑ranked American man and had already won four tour titles in 2026, including Montreal. His quarter‑final victory over Alcaraz was also his first career win against a top‑three opponent.

For Tiafoe, Friday offers another opportunity at the tournament where he has produced each of his three major semi‑final runs. For Shelton, it is a chance to reach his first Grand Slam final after two previous semi‑final appearances.

The other half of the men's draw remains unresolved. What is already certain is that an American man will play for the US Open title on Sunday.