NEW YORK, September 9: American Ben Shelton stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set US Open quarter-final thriller, winning 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) to reach the semi-finals.
Match Ends at Record 3:33 AM
The contest lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes and finished at 3:33 AM local time, making it the latest-finishing match in US Open history.
Shelton recovered after losing the opening set and held his nerve in the deciding tiebreak to complete one of the biggest wins of his career.
Alcaraz’s Title Defence Ends
Alcaraz entered the match with a 13-0 Grand Slam record against American opponents, but struggled with 53 unforced errors and physical discomfort during the match.
Shelton’s victory also ended the Spaniard’s defence of the US Open title.
All-American Semi-Final Next
Shelton will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals after Tiafoe staged a dramatic five-set comeback against Alex Michelsen.
The result guarantees an American man in the US Open final and keeps alive hopes of a first US men’s Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick in 2003.
source – Reuters
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