Ben Shelton returns to the US Open quarterfinals after a dominant win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. He now faces Carlos Alcaraz, who has dropped just one set. The match could decide the next American finalist.
Ben Shelton is one match away from the US Open semifinals, but the obstacle is Carlos Alcaraz, last year’s champion. After beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, Shelton has a shot at ending the long wait for an American man to reach a Grand Slam final. If he can get past Alcaraz, Shelton keeps hopes alive for an all-American final in New York.
Alcaraz, back after five months out with a wrist injury, hasn’t looked vulnerable. He beat Tommy Paul in straight sets, extending his run of wins over American players and showing why he’s still the favorite. Paul admitted after the match that Alcaraz played at a level he couldn’t match, a feeling shared by many who have faced the Spaniard this season.
Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach three consecutive US Open quarterfinals, achieving this feat at just 21 years old.
Shelton’s route here hasn’t been smooth. Last year, a shoulder injury forced him to retire mid-match at the US Open—the first time in his career he couldn’t finish. He left the court in tears. Since then, he’s bounced back with a quarterfinal at the Australian Open (losing to Jannik Sinner) and titles on three surfaces in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart. But early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon raised questions about his consistency at the majors.
Still, Shelton’s recent results have brought back belief. He defended his Canadian Open title in Montreal, beating several up-and-coming players and putting himself back in the conversation. Analysts like Patrick McEnroe have named him a US Open favorite, especially with Sinner out and early doubts about Alcaraz’s fitness. Shelton says his serve, return, and baseline game have all improved since he last played Alcaraz at the 2025 French Open, where he lost in four sets.
Shelton has been preparing carefully. After beating Tsitsipas, he stayed late to practice alone, working on details for the next match. He’s said that facing Alcaraz in New York, with the home crowd behind him, is the moment he’s been aiming for all season. Alcaraz has acknowledged Shelton’s power and the energy he gets from the American fans, but says he’s focused on his own game and recovery after his long break.
По данным USTA, в этом году продажи билетов на четвертьфинальные матчи с участием американских игроков выросли на 18% по сравнению с прошлым сезоном, что свидетельствует о растущем интересе к возвращению американских теннисистов на ведущие позиции.
The American men’s run at this year’s US Open stands out. Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen have also reached the quarterfinals, so an all-American semifinal is possible. The draw has delivered, and the Shelton-Alcaraz matchup survived a series of upsets that knocked out other top seeds. As reported earlier, Alcaraz has dropped just one set on his way to the last eight.
For Shelton, the challenge is mental as much as physical. He’s never beaten Alcaraz, but says he’s closer than ever. After losing to Alcaraz at the French Open, Shelton talked about seeing progress in every defeat and measuring himself against the best. Now, all the preparation and pressure come down to this match.
What happens on Arthur Ashe Stadium will decide who moves on, but it also hints at whether American men’s tennis is ready to return to the top. Shelton’s season has been full of setbacks and sudden runs. Now he faces his biggest test. If he beats Alcaraz, it’s more than an upset—it’s a sign that the new generation is ready to move past close calls. The spotlight is on Shelton to see if he can take that step.
