Shelton ends Alcaraz’s title in late-night marathon, will face Tiafoe in US Open
News
Ben Shelton ended Carlos Alcaraz’s title reign in the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history as he pulled out a 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 victory in a marathon tussle that ended at 3:33 a.m. Alcaraz had his 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tour…
NEW YORK — Ben Shelton had gone toe-to-toe with Carlos Alcaraz for five exhausting sets and finally at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday came the chance to end the U.S. Open champion’s title reign.
Shelton fired an ace at 146 mph, a ball that Alcaraz couldn’t have gotten back even with fresh legs.
Details
That gave Shelton a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory in a marathon tussle that was the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history.
“I’m tired. It was a war,” Shelton said. “Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport. It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure.”
Alcaraz had his 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments ended in a match that lasted 4 hours, 28 minutes, after he fought deep into the night and early into the next morning in a bid to get his hands on the trophy again.
Analysis
“I mean it was close, it was really close, so I was disappointed I didn’t get the win at the end,” the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz said. “But I’m happy, I am proud of myself about how I fought. As I said, physically I was really tired but I found a way to push myself.”
Shelton next plays No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe, who kept coming back until he had reached his third U.S. Open semifinal, beating Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) on Tuesday.
The U.S. is guaranteed to have a representative in Sunday’s final as it seeks its first men’s major title since Andy Roddick lifted the title here in 2003.
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