Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton complete US Open quarterfinal at 3:33 a.m
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:20 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton finished their US Open quarterfinal match at 3:33 a.m. ET on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The contest lasted four hours and 28 minutes, resulting in a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory for the No. 8 seed. This late-night conclusion set a record for the latest finish in tournament history. The event has reignited criticism regarding scheduling practices by the United States Tennis Association and television partners. While some players, including Frances Tiafoe, continue to defend the five-set format, critics argue that such late finishes negatively affect player health and spectator experience. The tournament is currently scheduled to conclude on September 13.
- •The match concluded at 3:33 a.m. Eastern Time on September 9, 2026.
- •Carlos Alcaraz won the five-set quarterfinal against Ben Shelton at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- •The match lasted four hours and 28 minutes to reach a final decision.
- •The tournament offers $5.5 million to the winners of the singles events.
- •Frances Tiafoe stated his support for maintaining the traditional five-set match format for men.
- 4:48 PMYahoo Sports — Late nights at the US Open add a new wild wrinkle with 3:33 a.m. finish to Shelton-Alcaraz thriller
- 4:20 PMYahoo Sports — The US Open — and Ben Shelton — is putting on a great show. But why is it happening at 3:33 a.m.?
- 3:48 PMYahoo Sports — A 3:33 am finish at the US Open isn't history. It's a problem.
"Ben Shelton's five-set thriller to beat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals ended at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday, leaving few people awake to see the 4 1/2-hour marathon reach its finale on one of the sport's biggest stages. Players have long loved the electricity of playing night matches under the lights in the nation’s biggest city. "It’s not ideal,” Williams said at the time.
"The Ben Shelton-Carlos Alcaraz thriller was unforgettable, but its early morning finish exposed a US Open problem that's gone on for years.
"Shelton took down 7-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz, but was anyone awake to watch?
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 4:48 PMLate nights at the US Open add a new wild wrinkle with 3:33 a.m. finish to Shelton-Alcaraz thriller
Ben Shelton's five-set thriller to beat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals ended at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday, leaving few people awake to see the 4 1/2-hour marathon reach its finale on one of the sport's biggest stages. Players have long loved the electricity of playing night matches under the lights in the nation’s biggest city. "It’s not ideal,” Williams said at the time.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 4:20 PMThe US Open — and Ben Shelton — is putting on a great show. But why is it happening at 3:33 a.m.?
Shelton took down 7-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz, but was anyone awake to watch?
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 3:48 PMA 3:33 am finish at the US Open isn't history. It's a problem.
The Ben Shelton-Carlos Alcaraz thriller was unforgettable, but its early morning finish exposed a US Open problem that's gone on for years.
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