Sports

Shelton Matches McEnroe's Feat, Sets Up Alcaraz Showdown in US Open Quarter-Finals

By Max Kilham

Ben Shelton has secured a spot in the US Open quarter-finals for the first time since 2023, following a straight-sets victory over two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday. Shelton won the match 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 and will next face Carlos Alcaraz, with the winner advancing to face either Frances Tiafoe or Alex Michelsen in the semi-finals.

According to statisticians OptaAce, Shelton has become only the fourth left-handed American man to reach multiple US Open quarter-finals, joining an elite group that includes John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Roscoe Tanner. Connors reached the quarter-finals 17 times and won five titles, while McEnroe made nine quarter-final appearances and claimed three championships before retiring in 1992. Tanner reached the quarter-finals on five occasions, with his best results coming in 1974 and 1979 when he advanced to the semi-finals.

Shelton's own US Open history includes a run to the semi-finals in 2023, where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. His quarter-final appearances now span 2023 and the current tournament.

Ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Alcaraz, Shelton acknowledged the challenge awaiting him. Speaking to Sam Querrey after his win over Tsitsipas, Shelton was asked what it would take to defeat the Spaniard. "Special tennis," he responded. "I think the level he's been playing at is really, really impressive. To not play for five months and come out and do what he's done so far this tournament has been superhuman. We're happy to have him back on tour. He lights up the stadium every time he plays. I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night. I hope you guys come back, because I'm ready to go."

Alcaraz enters the match as the favorite, returning to competition after a five-month layoff due to injury but performing impressively throughout the tournament. The Spaniard holds a 3-0 record against Shelton in ATP Tour matches.