Shelton and Zverev set up contrasting Grand Slam narratives
Shelton and Zverev reach US Open final as breakthrough and serial finalist face off.
Event / Sports
US Open Tennis 2026
Ben Shelton defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a historic quarterfinal match that ended at 3:33 AM, the latest finish in tournament history. The five-set victory marked Shelton's breakthrough win against a top-3 ranked player and ended Alcaraz's 18-match Grand Slam winning streak.
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2026-09-09 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 9 Sept, 18:31 UTC
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What happened
Shelton advances to US Open semifinals against Tiafoe
Ben Shelton advanced to the US Open semifinals, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe on Friday. This is Shelton's second US Open semifinal appearance, following his previous semifinal in 2023.
Shelton achieves first victory over top-3 ranked player
Ben Shelton's victory over Carlos Alcaraz marked his first win against a top-3 ranked player. Shelton's previous record against top-3 players was 0-17.
Alcaraz returns to competition after wrist injury
Carlos Alcaraz made his return to competitive tennis at the US Open after being sidelined for more than four months due to a right wrist injury.
Ben Shelton defeats Carlos Alcaraz at US Open quarterfinals
Ben Shelton, ranked 9th, defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, ranked 3rd, in the US Open quarterfinals with a final score of 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7). The match took place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday and lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes.
Shelton continues strong North American tour after Montreal title
Ben Shelton's US Open quarterfinal victory continued his strong performance on his North American tour, following his title win at the Montreal Masters 1000 tournament.
US Open match ends at latest time in tournament history
The match between Shelton and Alcaraz concluded at 3:33 AM at Flushing Meadows, making it the latest finish in US Open history. The previous record was 2:50 AM.
Shelton ends Alcaraz's 18-match Grand Slam winning streak
Ben Shelton's victory over Carlos Alcaraz ended the Spanish player's streak of 18 consecutive victories in Grand Slam tournaments.
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2 alternative perspectives
Zverev wins first Grand Slam title at US Open
Zverev captures his first Grand Slam title by winning the US Open championship.
Zverev captures French Open title in dominant Grand Slam performance
Zverev wins 2026 French Open men's singles title in Paris.
Zverev claims US Open title, denies Shelton American breakthrough
Zverev defeats Shelton in US Open final; American's historic title bid falls short.
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US Open honors 25-year anniversary of 9/11 attacks with ceremony in New York.
Shelton to face Zverev in US Open final matchup
Shelton faces Zverev in the US Open final after semifinal victories.
Shelton and Tiafoe guarantee American presence in US Open final
Shelton and Tiafoe's US Open semifinals guarantee an American men's champion.
Shelton defeats Alcaraz in five-set epic to reach semifinal
Shelton defeats Alcaraz in latest-finishing US Open match, ending 18-match Grand Slam streak.
Alcaraz returns to competition following wrist injury
Alcaraz returns to competition after wrist injury at US Open.
Shelton stuns Alcaraz to reach US Open semifinals
Shelton defeats Alcaraz at US Open quarterfinals, ending his 18-match Grand Slam streak and advancing to semifinals.