US Open: Ben Shelton ends Tsitsipas' resurgent run, sets up Alcaraz showdown

Ben Shelton ended Stefanos Tsitsipas' impressive US Open revival with a dominant straight-sets win to reach the quarter-finals. The American now faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, with a place in the semi-finals and a bigger piece of history at stake.

In Short

• Ben Shelton raced past Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open
• Tsitsipas had reached the 4th round of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2024
• Shelton is chasing America's first men's Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick

Ben Shelton ended Stefanos Tsitsipas' resurgent run at the US Open on Sunday, overpowering the Greek 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the quarter-finals and keep alive American hopes of a first men's Grand Slam champion in more than two decades.

Tsitsipas had arrived in the fourth round having finally found his way deep into a Grand Slam again. The 27-year-old, ranked 53rd in the world, had not reached the fourth round of a major since the French Open in 2024, but had put together an impressive run in New York, beating 10th seed Arthur Fils, South African qualifier Lloyd Harris and Jiri Lehecka.

Against Lehecka, Tsitsipas had shown the kind of fight that had been missing from his recent Grand Slam campaigns, recovering from a set down to win 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-1. He also fired 12 aces in that victory.

But Shelton brought that revival to an abrupt end.

The eighth seed was ruthless from the start, blending raw power with a delicate touch and sharp decision-making to overwhelm Tsitsipas in an opening set that lasted just 31 minutes.

Shelton never allowed his opponent to settle into the contest, taking a two-set lead before adding a touch of showmanship to an already dominant performance. A soaring overhead smash drew a roar from the Arthur Ashe crowd before the American raced away to complete a comfortable hold and seal the straight-sets victory.

"It was a good match from start to finish. It was my first straightforward match this year and I'm happy I can play this way in front of you," Shelton said.

US OPEN: SHELTON VS ALCARAZ IN QF

The 22-year-old is now one win away from returning to the US Open semi-finals, but standing in his way is defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz has been in sensational form in New York after returning from an injury layoff, and Shelton knows he will need something special to stop the Spaniard.

"The level that he's playing at is really impressive. To not play for almost five months and do what he's doing is superhuman and we're happy to have him back," Shelton said.

"He lights up stadiums and I think there's going to be fireworks again on Tuesday."

Shelton is also carrying a bigger American hope into that showdown. He is bidding to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph at Flushing Meadows.

The pressure of playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium has not always been easy for Shelton, but he felt he finally found his rhythm against Tsitsipas.

"My team told me that if I didn't show up fully focused they would leave," he joked.

"When you play on this court every year, it feels like you start over again and the nerves hit. I finally found my groove and was in a flow state. Playing on the greatest court in the world is an unbelievable feeling."

Now comes the biggest test yet.

Shelton will face Alcaraz on Tuesday with a place in the US Open semi-finals at stake, and the American will have to find another level if he is to stop the defending champion's remarkable return to the Grand Slam stage.

- Ends