US Open 2026 | Carlos Alcaraz falls to Ben Shelton in epic latest-ever finish

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's US Open title defence ended in quarterfinals at 3.33 am local time after he fell to American Ben Shelton in an epic five-set thriller that broke the record for latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows.

The previous record also involved Alcaraz, who exactly two years ago, saved a match point to edge Jannik Sinner in five sets in the quarterfinals, with their match finishing at 2.50 a.m. in New York.

The big-hitting Shelton claimed his first career win over Alcaraz, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7), ending the Spaniard's hopes of retaining his title in his first tournament back after a four-month injury absence.