Ben Shelton Aims to End Winless Run Against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open

Ben Shelton has never beaten Carlos Alcaraz, but he believes this week presents his best opportunity yet to break that streak at the US Open. The quarter‑final showdown between the big‑serving Floridian and the defending champion Spaniard under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium is the tournament’s marquee match so far and offers Shelton the chance to emerge as a favorite in a wide‑open draw. Both players are among the top‑10 seeds who reached the final eight, making their encounter the centerpiece of the competition. 

Shelton, who captured the ATP Masters title in Toronto before the Open, trained alongside Alcaraz during the lead‑up. He observed the 23‑year‑old Spaniard returning from a four‑month layoff to recover from a right‑wrist injury, missing Roland Garros, the entire grass‑court season, and the hard‑court prep events. The practice gave Shelton confidence in Alcaraz’s readiness. 

Alcaraz has dispatched his first four opponents in New York while losing only one set, a performance that underscores his elite status. “I’ve been watching his matches. I think he’s been playing at an extremely high level,” Shelton said at a press conference on Sunday. “To me he looks very normal. His normal, I mean.” This suggests Alcaraz is performing at the peak of his game, positioning himself as the world’s best player on a surface where he has secured three of his seven major titles. 

Shelton, who would match his best career result at a major by reaching the semifinals with a victory, took a set from Alcaraz the last time they met—a 2025 Roland Garros Round of 16 loss. In their other two encounters, both on hard courts, Alcaraz prevailed in straight sets. Reflecting on his progress, Shelton noted, “I thought I played a good match in Paris but I think I’m serving better, returning much better. My shot tolerance from the baseline, overall quality from the baseline and my movement have improved. I think it’s definitely going to be a different match playing here.” 

While Shelton’s service game has been dominant—holding 88 % of his service games and recording a 150 mph serve—his path to victory against Alcaraz will likely hinge on other aspects of his game. Alcaraz has been broken only six times in the tournament, fewer than Shelton, and converts nearly half of his return games. History shows that an American player with a powerful serve but limited variety can struggle against top opponents, as seen with Andy Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon final and John Isner against elite foes. Shelton is eager to avoid that scenario on Tuesday. 

Shelton’s return game and baseline consistency have been solid at this event. However, Alcaraz typically operates at an elite level across all facets of his play, making him a formidable opponent. 

Despite his current form, Shelton has never defeated a top‑five player at a major tournament. His two top‑10 wins this year both came against Taylor Fritz. To find a comparable milestone in his career, one must go back to an October 2023 victory over Jannik Sinner in Shanghai or an August 2022 upset of Casper Ruud in Cincinnati, where Shelton entered as a wild card. Neither achievement took place at a Grand Slam event under the bright lights of the world’s largest tennis stadium. 

“Really powerful player,” Alcaraz remarked. “I think he uses the crowd, the people behind him. Especially when he’s playing here at home.” This acknowledgment highlights Shelton’s ability to harness the energy of his home crowd, adding an extra layer of challenge for Alcaraz in what promises to be a compelling encounter. 

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