Sports

Shelton Outlasts Defending Champion Alcaraz in Marathon US Open Quarterfinal Decided by Super Tiebreak

By Daniel Shirley, Michael Bailey, Lukas Weese, James Hansen

Ben Shelton defeated two-time and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set quarterfinal at the 2026 U.S. Open, prevailing 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a match that stretched into the early morning hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows.

The contest, which pitted eighth seed Shelton against second seed Alcaraz, saw the Spaniard take the opening set in a tiebreak, 7-6(5). Shelton responded forcefully, winning the second and third sets 6-1 and 6-3 to take control of the match. Alcaraz fought back to claim the fourth set 6-1, leveling the match and forcing a decisive fifth set.

The final set was tightly contested and eventually reached 6-6, sending the match into a first-to-10 super tiebreak. As play continued past 2:50 a.m. ET, the match became the latest-finishing contest in U.S. Open history. The tiebreak itself remained closely fought, continuing beyond 3:30 a.m. ET before Shelton finally sealed victory with a decisive point that Alcaraz could not return.

After the match, Alcaraz smiled, congratulated Shelton, and left the court graciously despite the loss. The match was one of four quarterfinals played that day to be decided by a super tiebreak, capping what was described as an extraordinary day and night of tennis at the tournament.

With the win, Shelton advances to face Frances Tiafoe in the next round of the men's singles draw.