The US Open 2026 has delivered another night to remember. Under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ben Shelton produced the biggest win of his career, overcoming defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a four-and-a-half-hour thriller that finished in the early hours of the morning.
After losing the opening set in a tie-break, Shelton fought back to take the next two before Alcaraz forced a deciding set. With the match eventually heading to a final-set tie-break, Shelton held his nerve to seal a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) victory. The match finished at 3:33am, making it the latest finish in US Open history.
For Alcaraz, the defeat brings his title defence to an unexpected end. For Shelton, it marks a huge breakthrough and sends him into his first US Open semi-final, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
Shelton Stuns Alcaraz as the Race for the Title Heats Up
Few players know how to feed off the energy of New York quite like Shelton. With the Arthur Ashe crowd firmly behind him, the American produced an impressive display of power, resilience and composure to overcome one of the biggest names in the sport.
The 23-year-old’s serve proved crucial throughout the match, with Shelton repeatedly putting Alcaraz under pressure and finding another level when it mattered most. After Alcaraz fought back to force the deciding set, Shelton kept his composure in the final tie-break to complete one of the biggest victories of his career.
The result also ends Alcaraz’s remarkable 18-match Grand Slam winning streak and means the US Open men’s singles title will have a new champion for the first time since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003.
A New Era at the US Open 2026?
With Alcaraz out, the men’s draw has been blown wide open.
The biggest question now is whether the tournament could finally produce another American men’s Grand Slam champion. Shelton’s victory guaranteed an American finalist, with his semi-final against Frances Tiafoe set to give the home crowd another blockbuster night in New York.
Tiafoe has already had his own dramatic run to the last four, recovering from two sets down against fellow American Alex Michelsen before eventually winning in a deciding-set tie-break. It will be his third US Open semi-final, adding even more intrigue to an already fascinating final four.
An American final is now a genuine possibility, and with the last American man to win a Grand Slam being Andy Roddick in 2003, the significance would be huge.
Who Could Lift the Trophy?
Ben Shelton now has genuine momentum behind him. He has already defeated the defending champion and will have the Arthur Ashe crowd firmly on his side. His serve, aggression and ability to embrace the biggest moments make him a serious contender.
Frances Tiafoe brings experience of the latter stages of the US Open and has already demonstrated remarkable resilience to reach the semi-finals. Another deep run in New York could see him go one step further than ever before.
Elsewhere, the other half of the draw is still to be decided, with top seed Alexander Zverev facing Botic van de Zandschulp and Karen Khachanov taking on Alexander Blockx. The winners of those two matches will meet in the other semi-final.
That uncertainty is exactly what makes this year’s tournament so exciting. With the defending champion gone and the draw still open, there is no obvious answer to who will leave New York with the trophy.
Why the US Open Is Like No Other
Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, the US Open is the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar and one of the biggest sporting occasions in the world.
But it is about more than tennis.
The atmosphere of New York runs through the tournament, from the packed stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium to the buzz around the grounds. Day sessions roll into night sessions, the biggest names in tennis compete under the lights and the tournament has a unique energy that makes attending in person part of the experience.
There is also plenty at stake away from the headlines. The 2026 US Open has a record $108 million player compensation pot, with the men’s and women’s singles champions set to take home $5.5 million each.
