23-year-old American youth Benjamin Shelton made a big upset late on Tuesday night and made it to the semi-finals by defeating the current winner Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in a marathon match that lasted four and a half hours.
The match, which lasted for five sets, ended at 3:33 am American time and with this it also became the most delayed match in this tournament so far. In other matches, Aryna Sabalenka managed to keep her hopes of the title alive by registering a hard-fought victory against 21-year-old Linda Noskova of Czech Republic.
In the men’s singles quarter-finals, Alcaraz returned after suffering a wrist injury and performed brilliantly before this match. Looking at his play in any match, it did not appear that he was away from tennis for five months, but in this match, Shelton defeated him 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
The 23-year-old Alcaraz lacked accuracy in his game and committed 53 unforced errors. Shelton said after the win that Carlos is one of the greatest winners in our game right now. It’s always fun playing against him.
Sometimes it’s amazing to watch his performance, but this was the most fun match of my career so far. Prior to this match, Alcaraz had not lost to an American player in any Grand Slam tournament, his record in matches against American opponents was 13–0.
In the semi-finals, Shelton will face 11th seeded compatriot Frances Tiafoe, who after losing the first two sets, defeated America’s Alex Michelson 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6). With the All American semi-final, it has been decided that this time an American will definitely play in the final.
Sabalenka and Pegula Arena reach semi-finals
Sabalenka, seeing her number one ranking and US Open reign slipping from her hands, made such a strong comeback that 21 year old Linda Noskova was stunned. Sabalenka defeated Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) to keep alive her hopes of a third consecutive US Open title.
After the match he said, what an amazing match it was, he is an amazing player and I have no words right now because I pushed myself to the limit to win this match, especially in the third set. Honestly I thought that’s enough, the match is over now and maybe that’s what helped me make such a comeback.
Sabalenka had to win this match to save her hopes of remaining at the top position in the rankings and now she will face Jessica Pegula of America. Third-seeded Pegula defeated No. 26 Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.