Ben Shelton has put himself one win away from becoming the first American man to reach a US Open final since Taylor Fritz did it in 2024, after stunning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in an epic quarter-final that finished at 3:34 am Wednesday the latest finish in tournament history.
Shelton battled past the Spaniard 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) over four hours and 28 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium, ending Alcaraz’s hopes of reclaiming the title in his first tournament back from a four-month injury layoff.
The American traded blows across five sets, dropping the opener in a tiebreak before storming through the middle sets, then holding his nerve in a decisive final-set tiebreak to book his semi-final spot.
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That win sets up an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who fought back from two sets down to beat compatriot Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) in another five-set thriller. Whoever wins guarantees an American man a place in the final for the second year running — a feat that eluded the nation for two decades before Fritz broke through last year.
American men have waited far longer for a title than a final. Andy Roddick remains the last American man to lift the US Open trophy, doing so in 2003.
Before him, the country produced a steady stream of home champions: Arthur Ashe kicked off the Open Era with his 1968 win, Stan Smith triumphed in 1971, and Jimmy Connors racked up five titles across the 1970s and 80s. John McEnroe added four championships, Pete Sampras claimed five, and Andre Agassi won twice, with his last final appearance coming in 2005.
Roddick’s 2003 victory closed out that golden run, and it took until Fritz’s run to last year’s final for an American man to even reach that stage again.
Shelton thanked the crowd for embracing the late finish. “I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world,” he said, calling it an honor to share the court with Alcaraz.
Men’s side — quarter-final stats:
– Shelton d. Alcaraz: 6-7(5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) — 4hrs 28mins, latest US Open finish ever
– Tiafoe d. Michelsen: 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) — rallied from two sets down
On the women’s side, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a three-set battle against Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, winning 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to reach the semi-finals. She’ll face Jessica Pegula, who came from a set down to beat fellow American Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Women’s side — quarter-final stats:
– Sabalenka d. Noskova: 7-6(7-1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7)
– Pegula d. Navarro: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 — recovered from a set down.
For American men’s tennis, the story now writes itself: Shelton or Tiafoe will carry the flag into Sunday’s final, chasing a title the country hasn’t celebrated since Roddick’s win 22 years ago.
