Ben Shelton won a historic match against Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday morning at the US Open, securing a spot in the semifinals and guaranteeing an American presence in Sunday's final. The four-hour and 28-minute match was the longest in Grand Slam history, with Shelton emerging victorious 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). Alcaraz's 53 unforced errors proved to be a decisive factor in the match. This was Shelton's first win over Alcaraz, who had previously held a 3-0 record against him.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Carlos Alcaraz, the second-seeded tennis player, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Tommy Paul. This is Alcaraz's second victory against Paul in as many meetings. The match was a dominant performance by Alcaraz, who extended his major match-winning streak to 18 and showcased his return to form after a four-month injury layoff. In an interview, Alcaraz stated that he played his game and tried to play his style, which led to the win.
Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked tennis player, also advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Taylor Townsend. This was Sabalenka's first meeting against Townsend, who gave her opponent fits in the first set but ultimately couldn't overcome Sabalenka's strong performance.
Both Alcaraz and Sabalenka will now move on to face new opponents in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz is expected to face either Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Sabalenka's opponent has not yet been determined. The US Open continues with its quarterfinal matches, featuring top players from around the world vying for a spot in the semifinals.
Written for “US Open Tennis Quarterfinals” on 2026-09-09,
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 7309 · logged 2026-09-09
It may have happened during a quarter-final match, and it may have taken place while most of the country was asleep, but Ben Shelton officially became the face of American men's tennis on Wednesday morning at the US Open.
uncertain
Shelton → happen → Open
After four hours and 28 minutes of war, Shelton secured his victory over seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) at 3:33 a.m. in New York, making it the longest match in the Grand Slam's history when the clock ticked past 2:50 a.m.
By punching his ticket into the US Open semifinal for the second consecutive year, he guaranteed that the United States will be represented in Sunday's final as he'll take on fellow American Francis Tiafoe on Friday in the semis.
asserted
he → secure → semis
An American man has not won a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick took down Juan Carlos Ferrero at the 2003 US Open.
asserted
Roddick → win → Open
Shelton certainly had the crowd on his side throughout the match, and admitted that he fed off of the American fans in New York.
asserted
he → have → York
"It’s always about the people in the crowd, whether it’s my coaches and my team over there, all my family and friends over here, or the city of New York," Shelton said during his on-court interview following the match.
asserted
Shelton → ’ → match
"They showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with USA chats until the very end, that’s what kept me going, and that’s what got me this win tonight.
asserted
what → show → win
I’m just hoping my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours."
asserted
friend → hop → hours
Shelton's heroics on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning snapped Alcaraz's 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments.
asserted
heroics → snap → tournaments
As expected, Alcaraz made life tough for Shelton at pivotal points throughout the match, but the Spaniard's 53 unforced errors proved to be a critical difference in the end.
asserted
errors → expect → end
Shelton's serve, the strongest weapon in his repertoire, was on full display as he secured seven aces and just two double faults throughout the five-set thriller.
asserted
he → secure → thriller
The victory marked Shelton's first time defeating Alcaraz in his career, with the Spaniard previously holding a 3-0 record against the Florida native, with the two last meeting at Roland Garros in 2025.
asserted
two → mark → 2025
