Ben Shelton is in the US Open semifinals after a five-set thriller!
The local favorite defeats the world No. 3 after 4 hours and 28 minutes with a score of 6:7(5), 6:1, 6:3, 1:6, 7:6(7). The American had a 2-1 lead in sets at one point, but the decision ultimately came down to a tie-break in the fifth set.
The 23-year-old thus reaches the US Open semifinals for the second time, following his 2023 appearance.
Alcaraz Leads, Shelton Ignites
In the first set, neither player gave an inch, delivering at times spectacular rallies. After a break by Alcaraz, Shelton immediately found an answer, leading to a tie-break. There, the Spaniard held his nerve and narrowly won 7-5.
The level remained high in the second set too; in incredibly intense opening games, Shelton secured a break at 1-1 and then went on a rampage. Two breaks later, he leveled the match in sets after exactly 2 hours of play.
In the third set, an early break to go up 2-0 was enough for the local favorite to secure another set win. Although Alcaraz served fairly confidently thereafter, he was unable to break Shelton's serve, and thus the set went 6-3 to the American.
Decision Comes Late
But Alcaraz is, along with Jannik Sinner, currently the benchmark in tennis for a good reason. The world No. 3 found his rhythm increasingly well in the fourth set and immediately secured his second break of the match right at the start. He thus quickly established a 3-0 lead and continued to play confidently.
After 3 hours and 14 minutes, the Spaniard took the set 6-1, resetting the match. Thus, the decision would come in the fifth and final set.
There, both players were solid on their own serve; at 4-3, Alcaraz fended off three break points against him to level at 4-4.
And inevitably, it went to a tie-break. There too, it was as close as it had been in the hours prior. In the end, Shelton held his nerve and served an ace for a 10-7 win, and with it, the match.
