Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defence has come to a dramatic end after the Spaniard was beaten by American Ben Shelton in a thrilling quarter-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Shelton produced one of the biggest wins of his career, defeating the second-seeded Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in an extraordinary five-set battle. The match lasted more than four hours and went deep into the New York night, with both players producing high-quality tennis in a contest that repeatedly swung in momentum.
Alcaraz took the opening set in a tight tiebreak, but Shelton responded emphatically. The American dominated the second and third sets to move within one set of a major upset.
The four-time Grand Slam champion refused to surrender, however, as Alcaraz stormed through the fourth set to force a deciding set. The final set was another tense battle, with neither player able to pull clear. Shelton eventually held his nerve in the deciding tiebreak, winning 10-7 to seal a memorable victory in front of the home crowd.
The defeat brings Alcaraz’s US Open campaign to an end and denies him the opportunity to defend the title he won last year. The victory represents a major breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage. The American will now advance to the semi-finals, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe which mean an American will be in the final.
What’s next for Carlos Alcaraz?
Alcaraz will now turn his attention to the remainder of the season after suffering one of his most painful Grand Slam defeats. Despite the disappointing exit, the Spaniard remains one of the leading figures in men’s tennis and will be expected to bounce back strongly in the tournaments ahead.