Sports News Report
League: ATPSport: TennisCountry: GlobalCategory: Scores & Results

U.S. Open players hold contrasting views on grueling match preparation

6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 4:47 AM

Last updated Sep 9, 2026

U.S. Open players hold contrasting views on grueling match preparation
Summary

Players at the U.S. Open are split on the benefits of extended time on court versus conserving energy. Carlos Alcaraz has played 10 sets in under seven and a half hours, while Ben Shelton has spent over nine hours playing 12 sets to reach the second week. Shelton credits his diverse match challenges for his preparation, whereas Alcaraz and Tommy Paul emphasize the advantage of shorter, efficient victories. Naomi Osaka secured a third-round spot after a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 victory against Elyse Mertens. Taylor Fritz, who previously maintained a high level of efficiency, faced late-match struggles during his current round. Players aim to manage physical output as they advance through the tournament, balancing the need for match readiness with the physical toll of competitive play.

Source Links
Yahoo Sports
Status Watch
  • •Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton enter the second week of the U.S. Open with differing court-time totals.
  • •Naomi Osaka defeated Elyse Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to advance.
  • •Ben Shelton is scheduled to face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16 on Sunday night.
  • •Taylor Fritz faced difficulty after previously winning six sets while dropping only 11 games.
Latest Updates
  • 4:47 AMYahoo Sports — WATCH: Alcaraz and Shelton Produce Point of the Tournament at US Open
  • 11:15 PMYahoo Sports — How to watch Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz: US Open quarterfinal live stream, TV channel
  • 4:10 PMYahoo Sports — Ben Shelton vs. Carlos Alcaraz: How to watch the U.S. Open quarterfinals tonight, full TV schedule, streaming info and more
  • 8:39 AMYahoo Sports — ‘In straight sets’ – Tennis fans predict if Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton will win US Open clash
  • 9:45 PMYahoo Sports — Preview: Ben Shelton Faces Biggest Test Yet Against Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open Quarterfinals
  • 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — At the U.S. Open, to be or not to be battle-tested is the question
What they're saying
"

NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton are one match away from what could be the men’s matchup of the U.S. Open. Alcaraz, probably the best tennis player on the planet, is a generational talent. He has mastered both artistry and power to become an all-time great at 23. He is also working his way back from a serious injury to his right wrist at the kind of warp speed that is rarely safely seen in sports. On the other side is Shelton, the biggest name in American men’s tennis right now and like

"

We are near the business end of the final Major of the year, as the quarterfinal matchups in one half of the draw are now set, with American No.1 Ben Shelton taking on what many believe, despite his ranking, is the best player on the planet currently, Carlos Alcaraz. There's a feeling before a big …

"

It has been an intense day at the US Open, with the first three matches of the day all going the distance to a deciding set. That set up nicely for the headline match of the day, where Carlos Alcaraz is taking on American No.1 Ben Shelton. Alcaraz and Shelton Deliver Early Fireworks at the …

Related Teams & Leagues
ATPTennis

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days