Arthur Ashe Stadium witnessed an unprecedented finish early Wednesday morning as Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal match that concluded at 3:33 AM, setting a new record for the latest finish in US Open history. The grueling match lasted four hours and 28 minutes, extending past sunrise for many in New York.

Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and last year's champion, appeared to struggle with fatigue and nausea, seen vomiting into his towel before the start of the deciding set. Despite these challenges, the match stretched into a fifth-set tiebreak, with Shelton ultimately prevailing.

A Match of Extremes

The contest began after 11:05 PM local time, already pushing the boundaries for late-night play. Shelton, 23, faced a significant challenge against the experienced Alcaraz, but showcased a powerful game, including a 146 mph ace to close out the match. The atmosphere in the stadium was described as both exhausting and intoxicating, with a crowd that included celebrities like Seal, Simone Biles, and Kevin Hart witnessing the historic conclusion.

Alcaraz has now been involved in the two latest finishes in US Open history. His previous record for the latest finish was set in 2022 when he defeated Jannik Sinner at 2:50 AM en route to his title. This latest encounter surpassed that mark.

The match saw momentum swings, with both players delivering spectacular rallies. Shelton broke Alcaraz's serve late in the first set to take a tiebreak, before Alcaraz responded by winning the second set 6-1. The third set went to Shelton, but Alcaraz fought back to force a decider. The physical toll of the match was evident on Alcaraz, who appeared to be suffering during the fifth set as it ticked past the 3:00 AM mark.

Shelton will advance to face Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. The late finish raises questions about scheduling and player welfare in Grand Slam tournaments, particularly given the lack of a curfew at the US Open, unlike at Wimbledon. Other late-night matches this week have also seen players competing well past 1 AM.