Carlos Alcaraz, a tennis star, appeared on ESPN after defeating Tommy Paul and was asked about his potential next opponent, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Ben Shelton. However, he initially thought he was facing Daniil Medvedev or Frances Tiafoe, showing confusion before realizing the actual situation. In the end, Shelton won against Tsitsipas in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals and face Alcaraz. Alcaraz has expressed excitement about the upcoming match against Shelton, acknowledging his opponent's power and ability to use the crowd to his advantage.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Here's a summary of the news stories about the US Open tennis tournament:
- Taylor Fritz was cruising to win his third-round match against Francisco Cerundolo, leading 2-0 in sets, but suffered an epic collapse, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 (Article 7).
- Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev both advanced to the last 16 of the tournament, with Gauff beating Elena Rybakina in a three-set match (Article 5).
- In other matches, Naomi Osaka overcame a mental and physical battle to outlast Elise Mertens in a three-setter (Article 5), while Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva also reached the last 16 (Article 6).
- Frances Tiafoe beat Medvedev in a thrilling match on Louis Armstrong Stadium, coming from behind to win 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 (Article 8).
- In other men's matches, Andrey Rublev was beaten by Holger Rune, while Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Jannik Sinner (Article 5).
Overall, the tournament has been marked by upsets and close matches, with many top players advancing to the last 16.
Written for “US Open Tennis Tournament” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 18 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 6516 · logged 2026-09-07
Sometimes it’s easy to lose track of things when you’re as busy as Carlos Alcaraz.
asserted
you → ’ → Alcaraz
The tennis star seemed not to be aware of which match he should be keeping an eye on for his next opponent while he was appearing on ESPN after defeating American Tommy Paul in order to advance to the quarterfinals.
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he → seem → quarterfinals
The Spaniard was asked by Andy Roddick to talk about his potential opponents at the time, either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Ben Shelton.
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Spaniard → ask → time
After a second of confusion, Alcaraz realized what happened.
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what → realize → confusion
“Oh my god, I thought I was playing [Daniil] Medvedev-[Frances] Tiafoe,” he said shocked.
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he → think → Tiafoe
The whole situation created a good laugh among the panel on the ESPN set, situated just outside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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situation → create → Stadium
He did try to discuss the two tennis players, but Roddick’s laughter made it quite difficult to continue with the conversation.
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it → try → conversation
Finally, he was asked, “you’re going to watch the match tonight?”
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you → ask → match
“For sure I’m going to watch it,” he said while the laughter continued.
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laughter → go → it
Shelton went on to win in straight sets over Tsitsipas to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals and a date with Alcaraz.
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Shelton → go → Alcaraz
By the time he spoke with reporters, it seemed that Alcaraz had everything sorted out and had discussed the idea of playing his next opponent.
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everything → speak → opponent
“If it is Shelton, really powerful player,” he said.
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he → say → ?
“I think he use the crowd, the people behind him, especially when he’s playing here at home.
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he → think → home
I’m excited about playing the quarterfinal, either if it is against one or other.
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it → ’m → one
So I’ve got to be ready.
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I → get → ?
I’m going to watch it, and I’ll be ready for that.”
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I → go → that
Alcaraz is looking to repeat as U.S. Open champion after he defeated Jannik Sinner in the last year’s finals.
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he → look → finals
If he does repeat, he would be the first men’s player to do so in just under two decades.
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he → repeat → decades
