Overview
- Ben Shelton beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a four-hour, 28-minute quarterfinal that finished at about 3:33 a.m. Wednesday.
- Shelton advances to an all-American semifinal against Frances Tiafoe, which ensures at least one U.S. man will appear in Sunday’s final.
- Alcaraz’s loss ends his Grand Slam winning streak and came in his first tournament back from a four-month right-wrist layoff, a comeback that included visible physical distress during the match.
- The match became the latest finish in tournament history after several earlier marathon matches delayed the night session, prompting renewed scrutiny of the tournament’s late-night scheduling and broadcaster timing.
- The win is a career milestone for Shelton and intensifies U.S. hopes of a first men’s major since 2003 while increasing pressure on organizers to adjust scheduling to protect player recovery.