U.S. Open 2026 Quarterfinal: Shelton Equalizes with Alcaraz After Dramatic First Set

Shelton 6-7(5), 1-1* Alcaraz

Shelton strikes a forehand that travels dangerously close to the Arthur Ashe crowd — yet with the score at 30-0, there is no real cause for concern.

Alcaraz subsequently frames a serve wide into the stands. Despite the scoreboard, he appears visibly frustrated by his current performance.

Suddenly, Alcaraz claws his way back to deuce, his frustration replaced by a smile as he forces Shelton into uncharacteristic errors and miraculously clips the opposite baseline from an impossible position.

However, he fails to replicate the feat off his backhand and looks increasingly tense. Nevertheless, he remains resilient, clearly sensing the monumental significance of this moment for the rest of the quarterfinal.

A critical second break point materializes as Shelton cannot retrieve the forehand pass at the net. It is well saved, only for a double fault to create a third break point, which Alcaraz saves with a powerful body serve.

Shelton ultimately holds his serve, weathering the storm from 40-15 to complete the comeback.

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