Ben Shelton defeats Carlos Alcaraz at 2026 US Open quarterfinals

Ben Shelton claimed a significant victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2026 US Open quarterfinals, winning after a five-set match lasting four hours and 28 minutes. Alcaraz, playing his first tournament after a four-month injury layoff, had previously impressed early in the tournament, losing only one set before this match. Following the match, Alcaraz left the court smiling, leading to mixed reactions from fans regarding his demeanor. Rick Macci, former coach of Serena Williams, defended Alcaraz's reaction, emphasizing that his happiness reflected his return to competition after injury. Alcaraz's last appearance before this tournament was in April, while Shelton advanced to the semifinals after this victory.

• 2:00 AMYahoo Sports — Serena Williams’ former coach responds to fans criticising Carlos Alcaraz for his reaction to US Open loss