Shelton dethrones Alcaraz, reaches US Open semifinals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

This is not a drill. It happened.

Benny the Bomb just dethroned Carlos Alcaraz.

On Sept. 9, 2026, American ace Ben Shelton bagged the biggest victory of his professional tennis career after ousting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7), in the quarterfinal round of the ongoing US Open Grand Slam tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

An absolute classic, drama-filled duel, and high-octane battle between two of the most talented 23-year-old netters treated fans who stayed until 3:33 a.m. EDT.

After five thrilling sets, Shelton needed four hours and 28 minutes to eliminate Alcaraz, banking on his powerful service game and much-improved court coverage when the 10-point match tiebreak began.

The quarterfinal showdown began with fast-paced action as both players traded service holds until the 11th game, when Alcaraz broke Shelton’s serve to grab a 6-5 lead.

Alcaraz had two chances to close the opener early, but Shelton displayed nerves of steel and broke back to force a tiebreak.

Shelton started strong, but Alcaraz scored the bigger points to build a two-point lead, capped by a sweet drop shot to claim the opening set in the intense quarterfinal battle.

To everyone’s surprise, Alcaraz’s level of play significantly dropped in the second set as he was undone by a string of unforced errors, which Shelton took advantage of.

Shelton limited Alcaraz to a single game in the frame, held all of his serves, and became more comfortable attacking the net every time the Spaniard sent sloppy returns into midcourt.

Even with better groundstroke rhythm, Alcaraz still failed to crack Shelton’s serve in the third set and continued struggling to return the American’s lefty bomb packed with kick spin.

Alcaraz found a window of opportunity after reaching break point in the fifth game, but Shelton clawed his way back with back-to-back points to restore order and move a set away from clinching the win.

Just when Shelton appeared poised to capitalize on a rusty and exhausted Alcaraz, the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s championship pedigree was on full display in the fourth set as he turned the tables with an emphatic bounce-back performance.

Alcaraz broke Shelton twice with his title defense on the line, minimized his unforced errors, and caught the latter off guard with sneaky attacks at the net.

A high-wire, nip-and-tuck affair highlighted the fifth set as neither player surrendered a single service game, resulting in a 10-point match tiebreak.

Shelton seized early momentum with a 3-1 lead, but Alcaraz dug deep to nab the next four points for a 5-3 advantage.

However, a series of unforced errors, including two consecutive short returns that hit the net, cost Alcaraz the chance to pull away, gifting Shelton three points to steal the lead.

Of the last six points, Shelton captured five, including the match-sealing 146-mph service ace that officially ended Alcaraz’s run at the US Open.

After the grueling five-set marathon, Shelton capped his clinical win with 169 total points won, including eight aces, five break points converted, and 59 return points won.

On the other hand, Alcaraz wrapped up his US Open run with 164 total points won, three aces, three break points converted, and 53 return points won.

“With the USA chants until the very end, that’s what kept me going and that’s what got me this win tonight,” Shelton said during the on-court interview.

“It’s incredible. I always said this is the greatest stadium in the world. I’m just hoping that my best friend and my sister don’t have to be at work at 6 AM in three hours.”

Awaiting Shelton in the US Open semifinal is compatriot Frances Tiafoe, who earlier came back from a 0-2 deficit to frustrate Alex Michelsen, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6).