Ben Shelton Shocks the World with US Open Upset

Ben Shelton stunned the tennis world by beating world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling US Open quarterfinal.

The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes. It ended at 3:33 AM inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. As a result, it set a new record for the latest finish in US Open history.

How Shelton Beat Alcaraz

Alcaraz started strongly and won the first set in a tiebreak. His excellent movement and court coverage helped him control the early stages.

However, Shelton quickly changed his approach in the second set. He improved his serve placement and added more power to his forehand.

He also targeted Alcaraz’s backhand. This strategy created several chances for Shelton. As a result, he broke Alcaraz’s serve five times across the second and third sets.

Shelton also stayed aggressive during long rallies. He took more risks and forced Alcaraz to defend from difficult positions.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz refused to give up. He changed his position on court and moved closer to the baseline in the fourth set.

The Spaniard started taking the ball earlier. He then broke Shelton twice and quickly won the set 6-1. This forced a deciding fifth set.

The Fifth-Set Tiebreak

The final set became a major test of fitness and focus. Both players held their serves and refused to give away easy points.

Eventually, the match moved into a 10-point tiebreak. Shelton then trusted his biggest weapon, his powerful first serve.

He produced several serves above 140 mph during crucial moments. One of his biggest serves reached 146 mph.

Shelton kept his composure and continued attacking. He eventually won the tiebreak 10-7 to complete a memorable victory.

Key Takeaways

Clutch Serving: Shelton saved 8 of 11 break points. His powerful serve helped him stop several Alcaraz comeback attempts.

Tactical Maturity: Shelton showed patience during long rallies. He also stayed calm during high-pressure moments.

Streak Ended: The victory gave Shelton his first career win over Alcaraz. It also ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.

Now, Shelton moves on to face Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals. He is just one win away from reaching his first Grand Slam final.