Just In: Carlos Alcaraz sent home from US Open at 3.33am after vomiting as Ben Shelton gets revenge
Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz‘s US Open title defence to reach the semi-finals with a win that obliterated the record for the latest ever finish in New York. Alcaraz forced a deciding fifth set but world No.9 Shelton dug deep to win the 10-point tiebreak and secure his first ever victory against the Spaniard, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). Their incredible match lasted four hours and 28 minutes and did not finish until 3.33am local time.
This quarter-final broke the previous record for the latest finish set by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in 2022. That last-eight contest four years ago finished at 2.50am. But though Shelton and Alcaraz went well past that, Arthur Ashe Stadium remained virtually full for an all-timer of a match that saw Shelton avenge his three previous defeats to the seven-time major winner.
Alcaraz had been a perfect 13-0 against American players at Grand Slams before this. Shelton’s victory absolutely delighted the New York natives, who stayed into the early hours of the morning to make their support known with chants of ‘USA! USA! USA!’ and ‘let’s go Ben!’
The world No.9 had to dig very deep for the greatest victory of his career that sees him into the semis of his home Grand Slam for the second time. Shelton will face fellow American and world No.11 Frances Tiafoe on Friday for a place in the final.
Shelton said on court after: “For me, it’s always about the people in the crowd, whether it’s my coaches or my team over there, my family and friends over here. Or the city of New York that showed up tonight until 3am. That’s what kept me going and that’s what got me this win tonight.
“It’s incredible. I always say this is the greatest sport city in the world and the greatest stadium in the world. I’m just hoping my best friend and my sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6am.
“I’m so grateful, I’m so blessed to be here tonight. To share the court with Carlos is an absolute pleasure.
