Carlos Alcaraz knocked out of US Open by Ben Shelton at 3:33am

Carlos Alcaraz faced a grueling elimination from the US Open at 3:33am on Wednesday morning, September 9, 2026. The defending champion, battling against Ben Shelton, experienced what could be described as a nightmare scenario, culminating in him vomiting into a towel during the match. This extraordinary event took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium, marking the latest finish in US Open history, extending beyond 2:50am with a match that lasted for four hours and 28 minutes.

The atmosphere was electrifying yet tiring, as several thousand spectators—some intoxicated, others fatigued—watched the two players engage in a thrilling encounter. They produced a chaotic spectacle that swung back and forth throughout the match,
culminating in a tense decision that stretched to a fifth-set tiebreak. The final score was 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, showcasing the deep competitive spirit of both players. Ultimately, Shelton prevailed with a powerful 146 mph ace, celebrating a milestone in his career.

Shelton expressed his gratitude after the match, saying, "I am so grateful, so blessed. God has blessed me in so many ways... sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honor and I cherish every moment I have out here." In contrast, Alcaraz was visibly struggling during the lengthy match.

This defeat marked the end of Alcaraz's title defense, while also granting Shelton a historic victory; it had been 17 matches since he last triumphed over a top-three player. The win ensured an American would appear in the finals, promising a new name on the trophy this year. Additionally, Alcaraz's match against Shelton was notable as it added to the two latest finishes in US Open history, his previous at 2:50am in the 2022 event against Jannik Sinner.

At the start of the match, the pair took to the court shortly after 11:05pm local time with a daunting task ahead of them. They had a narrow time window of three and a half hours to complete the match and avoid setting a new record for the latest finish. Unfortunately, they could not meet this challenge, leaving the late-night audience in awe of the intense competition.