A major upset unfolded in the men's singles quarter-finals at the US Open 2026 as defending champion and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the tournament. American player Ben Shelton, currently ranked World No. 8, produced an extraordinary performance to defeat Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set contest to secure his place in the semi-finals. This defeat ended Alcaraz's campaign to retain his crown in New York.
A Five-Set Marathon Lasting 4 Hours and 28 Minutes
The high-stakes quarter-final encounter stretched over a grueling 4 hours and 28 minutes, offering tennis fans intense drama from start to finish. The opening set saw a tightly contested battle between both athletes. Alcaraz managed to hold his nerve in the tiebreaker to take the first set 7-6, establishing an early 1-0 lead in the match.
However, Ben Shelton responded with remarkable aggression to tilt the momentum in his favor. In the second set, the 8th seed dominated the court, breaking Alcaraz multiple times to take it 6-1 and level the scoreline at 1-1. Shelton carried that wave of momentum directly into the third set, maintaining complete control over his service games to win 6-3 and take a 2-1 match lead.
Alcaraz Fights Back Before a Deciding Set Tiebreaker
Facing elimination, Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated his champion mindset in the fourth set. The Spanish star stormed back with precision hitting, overpowering Shelton 6-1 to force a deciding fifth set at 2-2. The final set proved to be an edge-of-the-seat affair as both players produced exceptional tennis while protecting their serves.
With neither player giving ground, the fifth set proceeded to a decisive tiebreaker. Shelton held his composure during the pressure points, striking key winners to claim the tiebreaker and close out the final set 7-6. The victory marked one of the biggest wins of Shelton's career as he marched into the US Open semi-finals.
End of an 18-Match Grand Slam Winning Streak
The defeat to Ben Shelton brought a dramatic end to Carlos Alcaraz's impressive 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam competitions. Prior to this match, Alcaraz had not suffered a loss at a major tournament since the 2025 Wimbledon final, where he was defeated by Jannik Sinner. Since that loss, Alcaraz had remained undefeated in Grand Slam action until Shelton halted his run.
Return From Injury After Missing Major Tournaments
Alcaraz's run at the US Open came during a comeback phase, having dealt with physical setbacks earlier in the season. Injury troubles had forced him to withdraw from both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2026. Although he showed strong form reaching the quarter-finals in New York, the physical toll of a four-hour marathon against an inspired Shelton ultimately proved decisive.
