Ben Shelton is on strong run at Flushing Meadows, beating former World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach the US Open quarterfinals. The eighth-seeded American won under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, for 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 within two hours.
As Shelton will now face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who has looked strong since returning from a lengthy layoff due to a wrist injury, he sent a confident message ahead of the clash.
Ben Shelton Believes His US Open QF vs. Carlos Alcaraz Will Be a ‘Different Game’
After needing four sets in each of his first three matches against Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, and Denis Shapovalov, Shelton stepped up his game against Tsitsipas. The 23-year-old’s victory over the two-time Grand Slam finalist gives him his second US Open quarterfinal appearance and improves his North American hard-court record this summer to 12-2, including his recent Masters 1000 title in Montreal.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz has been making his way through the draw without much trouble. The world No. 3 reached the quarterfinals after beating No. 21-ranked American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Despite missing over four months due to a right wrist injury, Alcaraz has dropped just one set in New York and extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches.
However, when asked how his game has changed since their meeting in the 2025 Roland-Garros, where the seven-time Grand Slam champion won a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, Shelton pointed to his physical and tactical improvements.
“Honestly, I thought I played a good match in Paris, but I think I’m serving better, returning much better,” Shelton explained on his presser. “I think my shot tolerance from the baseline, overall quality from the baseline, and my movement have improved. I think it’s definitely going to be a different match playing here, and yeah, I think those are the areas that have probably changed the most for me.”
And Shelton knows exactly who he is up against. “We practiced together before the tournament, and I’ve been watching his matches,” the American shared. “I think he’s playing at an extremely high level. To me, he looks very normal. His normal, I mean, which is impressive after not playing for 5 months.”
Shelton added that he is excited for the match and believes it will be great, especially since he has never faced Alcaraz in New York and is in the position he wants to be in.
Shelton is one of three American men in the quarterfinals, joining No. 11 seed Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen, who both won their last match in straight sets. The Tiafoe-Michelsen clash guarantees that at least one American will reach the semifinals.
All three Americans will also be hoping to end a 23-year title drought. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win the US Open, claiming the title in 2003.
The World No. 9 will face Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
