Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defence came to an end after a thrilling five-set battle against Ben Shelton, but the Spanish star walked away from the court with pride rather than frustration. Alcaraz fought physically and made more than 50 unforced errors but Shelton won in an epic tiebreaker in the fifth set.
Shelton defeated the defending champion 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-7, 7-6 in a match that lasted more than four hours. The American produced one of the biggest performances of his career to reach the US Open semifinals, while Alcaraz was left to reflect on a tournament where he had shown glimpses of his best tennis despite a lengthy injury layoff.
Alcaraz had missed around four months of competitive tennis due to injury before he went back to play at the US Open. The lack of match practice was understandable, but he had seemed more and more comfortable during the earlier rounds. He had only dropped one set before meeting Shelton, and Jamie Faria was the only player to take a set from him.
But Shelton was a completely different challenge. The American's power, athleticism and ability to remain aggressive throughout the match always tested Alcaraz. The Spaniard was unable to find the familiar consistency that had helped him dominate earlier rounds and finished the match with more than 50 unforced errors.
Shelton also created 16 break-point opportunities and converted five of them. Alcaraz, however, refused to surrender despite repeatedly finding himself under pressure. After losing the second and third sets, he responded emphatically in the fourth and won it 7-1 to force a deciding set.
The physical demands of the match were becoming even more apparent then. Alcaraz reportedly threw up before the fifth set, adding to an already grueling match. But rather than let his physical state determine the outcome, the 22-year-old fought on, and eventually pushed Shelton to a deciding-set tiebreak.
Shelton was more clinical when it came down to it. The American held his nerve and secured a memorable victory and ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam winning streak in the process. Shelton’s victory was a major achievement on one of the biggest stages in tennis and earned him a place in the final four.
Alcaraz was not bothered by the loss, and he was thankful for his efforts in the game. After the match he admitted he was disappointed not to win but still felt some good about the physicality of it.
“It was close, it really was close,” Alcaraz said after the match. “I was disappointed I didn’t get the win in the end, but I’m just happy because physically I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself.”
Carlos Alcaraz leaving the U.S. Open with a smile on his face after losing a heartbreaker at 3:30 am.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2026
You have to respect this guy. 💔 pic.twitter.com/26C7DO8cky
Probably his most profound comments come when he thought about his emotions after the defeat. Alcaraz said he was proud of his effort and left the court not angry or devastated.
“I leave the court happy,” Alcaraz said. “I leave the court with a smile. I am proud of myself, how I fought.”
The response underlined the maturity that has become a defining quality of Alcaraz's career. He was the defending champion and everyone knew that and so he didn’t use his physical issues as an excuse. His focus was on the quality of the fight and the performance of his opponent.
Alcaraz also praised Shelton for delivering a full performance under pressure. Speaking in Spanish, he described the American as mature and tactically aware throughout the contest.
“Shelton played a very complete, very mature match,” Alcaraz said. “He knew exactly what to do at every moment. And physically he’s a beast. It looked like he had no weaknesses whatsoever.”
Alcaraz’s defeat will be a disappointment due to his Grand Slam victory and the fact he’s the defending US Open champion as well. But his performance showed some promising signs after the injury. He did his best when he was not physically good.
However, Shelton exits the quarter-final with a lot of confidence. Defeating a Grand Slam champion in a five-set thriller could prove to be a defining moment in his career. His calmness against one of the biggest players in the sport demonstrated that he is capable of winning one of the big titles.
Alcaraz’s US Open exit means he has made it to the final of the title but his response might be just as important as his result. Walking away with a smile after such a physically demanding defeat showed he wasn’t just interested in the outcome, but in the bigger picture.
The Spaniard will now turn to the rest of the season and his return to full fitness is certainly the biggest priority. If he can regain his rhythm and physical strength, Alcaraz will remain one of the most dangerous players on the ATP Tour.
