In a contest that stretched deep into the early hours of Wednesday morning,
The result brings an abrupt end to Alcaraz’s title defense. The Spaniard, who was competing in his first tournament following a four-month injury layoff, struggled to contain the momentum of the home favorite as the match progressed. For Shelton, the win marks a return to the final four at Flushing Meadows, setting up an all-American semi-final clash against Frances Tiafoe, who advanced after overcoming a two-set deficit against Alex Michelsen.
A Marathon Battle Under the Lights
The match, which did not commence until after 11 p.m. due to a series of lengthy encounters earlier in the day, lived up to its billing as a physical test of endurance. After a tightly contested opening set that saw Alcaraz edge the tiebreak, the momentum shifted decisively in the second and third sets. Shelton capitalized on a dip in the Spaniard's serving performance, stringing together nine consecutive games to seize control of the match.
Alcaraz demonstrated his resilience by dominating the fourth set, which he claimed in just 36 minutes to force a decider. The final set remained on a knife-edge, with both players creating break opportunities that went unconverted. Ultimately, the match was decided by a 10-point tiebreak, which Shelton clinched with an ace to seal his first career win over the 23-year-old champion.
Reflecting on the Late-Night Thriller
Following the match, Shelton described the encounter as an epic physical war, noting the enjoyment he derived from competing against one of the sport's top players. He highlighted the importance of his return game, explaining that once he found his rhythm in the second set, he was able to play with greater freedom. The victory sees Shelton replicate his semi-final run from three years ago, while Alcaraz departs the tournament after a high-stakes battle that surpassed the previous record for the latest finish at the U.S. Open—a 2:50 a.m. conclusion set during the 2022 quarter-finals.
