Ben Shelton is one win from the US Open semifinals, with last year’s champion Carlos Alcaraz in his way. After beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, Shelton has a chance to end the long wait for an American man to reach a Grand Slam final. A victory would keep hopes of an all-American final in New York alive.
Back after five months out with a wrist injury, Alcaraz has shown little vulnerability. He beat Tommy Paul in straight sets, extending his winning run against American players and reinforcing his status as 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. At 21, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach three consecutive US Open quarterfinals.
Shelton’s path here has been bumpy. 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 has bounced back with a quarterfinal at the Australian Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner, and titles on three surfaces in Dallas, Munich, and Stuttgart. Early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but, raised questions about his consistency at the majors.
Shelton’s recent results have restored belief. He defended his Canadian Open title in Montreal, beating several rising players and putting himself back in the conversation. Analysts such as Patrick McEnroe have named him a US Open favorite, particularly 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 prepared carefully. After beating Tsitsipas, he stayed late to practice alone, working through details for the next match. He has said that facing Alcaraz in New York, with the home crowd behind him, is the moment he has been targeting all season. Alcaraz has acknowledged Shelton’s power and the energy he draws from American fans, but says he is focused on his own game and recovery after his long break.
The American men’s run at this year’s US Open stands out. Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen have also reached the quarterfinals, putting an all-American semifinal in play. Information from the USTA, ticket sales for quarterfinal matches featuring American players are up 18% this year compared with last season, reflecting growing interest in American tennis players’ return to the top ranks. 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 as mental as it is physical. He has never beaten Alcaraz, but says he is closer than ever. After losing to Alcaraz at the French Open, Shelton spoke about finding progress in every defeat and measuring himself against the best. Now, all the preparation and pressure come down to this match.
The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium will decide who advances and offer a measure of whether American men’s tennis is ready to return to the top. Shelton’s season has brought setbacks and sudden runs. If he beats Alcaraz, it would be more than an upset: it would signal that the new generation is ready to move past close calls. The spotlight is on Shelton as he tries to take that step.
