Shelton beats Alcaraz at 3:33am

The update

Ben Shelton clinched the biggest win of his career on Tuesday night, defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller that stretched deep into the New York night. The match concluded at 3:33am local time, marking the latest finish in US Open history. Shelton won 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) after four hours and 28 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Why it matters

This victory ends Alcaraz’s title defense and guarantees an American man will play in the US Open final for the first time since 2003. Shelton’s win over a top-three ranked opponent—his first against a player in that tier—signals a potential shift in the sport’s landscape. The late finish also highlights ongoing scheduling challenges at the tournament.

What to watch

Tournament officials will likely face increased pressure to adjust start times to prevent future matches from extending past 3am. Shelton now faces Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals after Tiafoe advanced earlier in the evening.

Sources

• skysports.com — Match details, finish time, and Shelton's quotes.
• The Telegraph — Context on scheduling and match atmosphere.
• BBC — Match score, crowd reaction, and Alcaraz's injury context.