American tennis player Ben Shelton stunned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(10-7) in the early hours of Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in the latest-finishing match in tournament history.
Alcaraz clinched a tight first-set tiebreak and looked to have all the momentum, but uncharacteristic sloppiness allowed Shelton to breeze through the next set before the American tightened his grip on the quarter-final by taking the third.
“For me it’s always about the people in the crowd,” Shelton said “Whether it’s my coaches and my team there, all my family and friends here, or the city of New York that showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end.
“That’s what kept me going, and that’s what got me this win tonight. It’s incredible. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world. I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world.”
Alcaraz was making his comeback in New York after nearly five months out with a wrist issue.
He looked flat and made far too many unforced errors on his forehand but still managed to force a deciding set amid roars from the delighted fans.
Alcaraz vomited into a towel during the break but went toe-to-toe with Shelton for 12 games before his opponent closed out the shock win after four hours and 28 minutes.
Shelton’s win sets up a match in the last four with compatriot Frances Tiafoe, boosting home hopes of a first American men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003.
