In a thrilling showdown on Arthur Ashe stadium, Ben Shelton outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling 4-hour 28-minute battle, ultimately winning 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7). This victory ended Alcaraz's dream of retaining his title after returning from a four-month injury absence.
Shelton's victory sets up an all-American semi-final clash with Frances Tiafoe, who staged a remarkable comeback from two sets down to defeat Alex Michelsen in another marathon match. The win ensures an American player in the final, a feat not achieved by a US male player since Andy Roddick in 2003.
After the match, Shelton expressed gratitude to the fans for their support and hailed the New York crowd and stadium. Alcaraz, on the other hand, although disappointed, commended his opponent's performance, calling Shelton a 'beast' on the court.
In the other riveting quarter-final, Tiafoe showcased his resilience by fighting back against Michelsen, who held match point in the third set. The emotional encounter ended with Michelsen in tears as Tiafoe praised his opponent's skill despite the result.
