Ben Shelton has advanced to the US Open semifinals after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal match that concluded at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in the tournament's history. The grueling match, which lasted four hours and 28 minutes, saw Alcaraz appear to vomit into his towel before the deciding set.
A Marathon on Arthur Ashe Stadium
The match began at 11:05 p.m. local time, pushing the boundaries of late-night play. Thousands of spectators, some of whom had paid up to $5,000 for courtside seats, witnessed a contest that extended into the early morning hours. Alcaraz, who had previously been involved in the second-latest finish at the US Open in 2022, found himself in another marathon encounter.
Shelton started strong, trading blows with Alcaraz in a tightly contested first set that went to a tiebreak. Despite Alcaraz eventually taking the first set, Shelton responded decisively, winning the second set 6-1. The third set saw moments of spectacular play from both athletes, but Shelton ultimately held firm to take a commanding lead.
Alcaraz showed signs of fatigue as the match wore on, grimacing and appearing unwell. He was seen vomiting into his towel before the start of the fifth set. Despite this, the Spaniard managed to force a tiebreak. However, Shelton ultimately prevailed, closing out the match with a 146 mph ace.
Alcaraz's struggle was evident throughout the latter stages of the match, which concluded nearly five hours after its scheduled start. The late finish has sparked discussion about scheduling at the US Open, which, unlike Wimbledon, does not have a curfew.
Shelton will now face Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.