Ben Shelton stunned Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set epic to storm into the US Open semi-finals on a late night in New York.
The American pulled off his greatest victory in his career to send the defending champion out after four hours and 31 minutes before the match concluded in the grand slam’s latest-ever finish at 3:33am ET.
Shelton, who prevailed 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, delighted the home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure a third grand slam semi-final appearance in his career and just a second final-four appearance at Flushing Meadows following his 2023 run.
Alcaraz, showing grit following his return from a nasty wrist injury, and bidding for an eighth slam and third title in New York, had first blood after taking a nail-biting tiebreak.
But Shelton showed courage in front of a raucous home crowd, and the world No 9 took the following two sets (6-1, 6-3) to move to the brink of a stunning upset.
The marathon match, which started after 11pm ET following a lengthy run of matches leading up to the blockbuster quarter-final, was the latest finish in US Open history, beating a 2:50am ET conclusion in the 2022 meeting between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, entered a fifth set after the Spaniard ruthlessly claimed the fourth set 6-1.
After both men settled in the fifth, Shelton rallied with a gutsy hold to lead 4-3 before bringing up two break points in the eighth game to rock Alcaraz.
But the first slipped away after a backhand drifted long before the seven-time grand slam winner pummelled a forehand at the net to bring up deuce.
And Alcaraz held his nerve to move level at 4-4, letting out a roar as the match crept into a fifth hour.
But Shelton, behind his powerful serve, routinely delivered at more than 130mph, delighted the home crowd by holding to love and forcing Alcaraz to serve to stay in the match.
He did so at the first time of asking before another swift Shelton hold pushed him to do so once again at 5-6 and the sleep-deprived crowd were soon gifted a 10-point tiebreak.
Alcaraz claimed the initiative by securing a mini-break at 5-3, but Shelton refused to fade, pulling level at five points apiece before hitting the front at 7-6 with a 146mph unreturned serve.
Shelton refused to pass up this opportunity, sending down an ace to clinch the tiebreak 10-7 and emerge victorious on an unforgettable night in New York.
Shelton now faces Frances Tiafoe, who overcame his own marathon contest, with the No 11 seed prevailing in five sets against Alex Michelsen.
