Sport
CROSS-SPECTRUMBROAD COVERAGE
Ben Shelton Upsets Carlos Alcaraz in Epic US Open Quarterfinal Marathon
American Ben Shelton overcame Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in a five‑set US Open quarterfinal, winning 6‑7, 6‑1, 6‑3, 1‑6, 7‑6. The match lasted four hours and 31 minutes and finished at 3:35 a.m. ET, the latest finish in tournament history. The victory marks Shelton's third Grand Slam semifinal and his second at Flushing Meadows. He will meet fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
- Coverage peaked at 9 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The upset reshapes the US Open men's draw and highlights a historic late‑night finish.
How this story developed
- Aug 31 Injury wave sidelines top tennis stars as US Open begins
- Sep 6 Alcaraz returned to competition at the US Open after missing four months with a wrist injury.
- Sep 7 Defending champion Carlos Alcariz will meet Ben Shelton in the US Open quarterfinals, with the match set to be broadcast on pay-TV and streamed online.
- Sep 9 Shelton defeated Alcaraz in a five‑set quarterfinal.
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