Ben Shelton stuns Carlos Alcaraz in latest-ever U.S. Open finish
American tennis player Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a record-breaking, five-set U.S. Open quarter-final match that ended at 3:34 a.m. The victory advances Shelton to a semi-final match against Frances Tiafoe.
Why it matters
This match marks a significant moment in professional tennis history due to the late finish and the high-stakes nature of the U.S. Open tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz tumbled out of the U.S. Open quarter-finals at 3:34 a.m. Wednesday (September 9, 2026) local time, falling to Ben Shelton in an epic five-set thriller that broke the record for the latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows.
The big-hitting American claimed his first career win over Alcaraz, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7), ending the Spaniard’s hopes of retaining his title in his first tournament back after a four-month injury absence.
It took a brutal four hours and 28 minutes, finishing long past the previous latest finish in New York of 2:50 a.m., Alcaraz’s five-set quarter-final win over Jannik Sinner in 2022.
Shelton matched his semi-final run at the U.S. Open three years ago and booked an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who came back from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6).
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