Shelton beats Alcaraz at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in US Open history
Shelton 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) Alcaraz. Four hours 28 minutes. Record late finish.
| Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz | 7 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Ben Shelton | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
Shelton 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) Alcaraz
Why this one matters: Carlos Alcaraz came back from a right-wrist layoff to defend a US Open. Ben Shelton ended it after 3:33 a.m. in New York, the latest finish in tournament history.
ATP logged 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7). BBC printed the same sets and the 10-7 match tie-break. Alcaraz took the first breaker 7-5. Shelton ran nine games in a row through the second and third. Alcaraz took the fourth 6-1. In the fifth-set tie-break Alcaraz led 5-3. Shelton won seven of the next nine points and closed with a 146 mph ace.
It was Shelton's first win over a top-three player. Alcaraz made 53 unforced errors to Shelton's 35, per Bleacher Report. The next match was Tiafoe. The American drought since Roddick in 2003 still had a finalist.
The stakes
A defending champion gone. An American in the final four. A record clock.
The rivalry angle
Home lefty versus the favourite who had not lost to an American at a Slam.
Players who could decide it
Eighth seed. 146 mph ace to close it.
Defending champion, wrist return, 53 unforced errors.
Did you know?
- !Finished 3:33 a.m. ET, latest US Open finish on record.
- !Alcaraz led 5-3 in the match tie-break.
- !Shelton's first Top-3 win.
Sources
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