NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz’s bid for another US Open title ended in the early hours of Thursday as American Ben Shelton produced a stunning upset to headline a dramatic quarterfinal round at Flushing Meadows.
Shelton, seeded No. 8, outlasted the defending champion, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7), in four hours and 28 minutes. The match concluded at 3:33 a.m., setting a new record for the latest finish in US Open history.
Shelton now faces fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals after Tiafoe completed his own comeback against Alex Michelsen.
Tiafoe erased a two-set deficit to prevail, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6), reaching the US Open semifinals for the third time.
Top seed Alexander Zverev will take on Karen Khachanov in the other men’s semifinal. Zverev advanced by defeating Botic van de Zandschulp, while Khachanov progressed when Alexander Blockx retired with an injury while trailing 2-6, 5-7, 2-3.
The women’s semifinals will feature an elite four-player lineup.
Sabalenka, seeking a third straight US Open crown, will face Jessica Pegula, while Rybakina, who has moved to No. 1 in the world rankings, will meet Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka defeated Linda Noskova, 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7), and Pegula overcame Emma Navarro, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Rybakina beat Qinwen Zheng, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, while Gauff recovered from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva, 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2, after saving two match points.
With the defending men’s champion eliminated and four of the women’s top seeds still standing, the US Open is headed toward a compelling finish.
