Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz rewrote history at the U.S. Open with the latest finish ever recorded at the tournament. Their match, stretching from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, was more akin to a heavyweight fight than a tennis match. These are not ordinary players; Shelton, an American athletic marvel, met Alcaraz, a master of tennis art.
The battle commenced at 11:05 p.m. ET, reminiscent of a major pay-per-view event. An audience of nearly 24,000 packed into Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch what unfolded as an epic showdown. The match concluded at 3:33 a.m., with Shelton claiming victory 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) thanks to a powerful 146 mph ace.
That was a war. Epic match. So physical,Shelton remarked, acknowledging Alcaraz’s status as a formidable champion at 23.The most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career,he added.
The game began with both players exchanging powerful shots. Shelton held firm even when Alcaraz took a break with a loose serve, only for Shelton to respond by breaking back — a rarity against Alcaraz.
The ensuing tiebreak was a story of drama and physical prowess. At a crucial 5-3 advantage, Alcaraz executed a series of powerful plays to clinch the set, underscoring the effort Shelton had expended without palpable reward.
However, Shelton demonstrated resilience in the following parts of the match. Alcaraz committed numerous unforced errors, allowing Shelton to rally past him with a convincing 6-1 set. Even as the hour grew late, Shelton’s form remained strong.
This wasn’t Shelton’s first overnight session. A previous match, which began late due to a Williams sisters duel, ended similarly, with Shelton initially struggling only to find his footing later.
The third set was a dynamic dance around the court, with Shelton launching precision serves and deep court strokes. Alcaraz rallied as the night wore on, but by then, Shelton had already seized control with strategic serves and errors forced from Alcaraz.
As Alcaraz sat, visibly fatigued, the fourth set turned increasingly challenging. Mistakes provided Shelton a narrow path to victory, but Alcaraz showed flashes of brilliance, seizing opportunities at crucial moments to extend the battle.
Entering the final set past 2 a.m., Shelton dug deep once again. His serving precision delivered pivotal points. By 2:51 a.m., the players had surpassed the previous record for the U.S. Open’s latest finish.
The match culminated in a 10-point tiebreaker, with Shelton leading at 3-1. Alcaraz managed to close the gap briefly, but Shelton’s serves and Alcaraz’s slip-ups allowed Shelton to regain momentum.
At 8-7 in the tiebreaker and serving, Shelton captured the match on a final unreturnable serve — a testament to his endurance and skill. As Shelton moves forward to face fellow American Frances Tiafoe, the hope of a U.S. men’s Grand Slam champion after 23 years feels more tangible.