Putri Anggraini
In one of the most captivating encounters of the tournament, American tennis star Ben Shelton produced a monumental performance to overcome defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set quarterfinal at the US Open. The late-night spectacle captivated spectators inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, establishing itself as an instant classic at the year's final Grand Slam.
The marathon contest concluded in the early hours of Wednesday morning, marking the latest finish in US Open history. Shelton held his nerve across four hours and 28 minutes of relentless tennis to secure a 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-6) victory, sealing the deciding tie-break in front of an electrified New York crowd that remained engaged until past three in the morning.
Entering the matchup as the eighth seed, Shelton carried the responsibility of being the highest-seeded American man remaining in the singles draw. His triumph over Alcaraz, the third seed and a two-time tournament winner, disrupted the title defense of the Spanish standout, who had arrived in Flushing Meadows seeking another major trophy following a four-month injury absence.
The outcome carries immense significance for American men's tennis, setting up an all-American semifinal showdown between Shelton and compatriot Frances Tiafoe. The blockbuster matchup guarantees that an American man will reach the singles final at the US Open for the first time since 2003, ensuring a milestone moment for home fans.
The match began with high intensity as both 23-year-old competitors traded blows in an evenly matched opening set. Alcaraz initially seized the advantage, navigating a tense tie-break to claim the first set 7-6 (7-5) and appear on track to assert his authority as a seven-time Grand Slam champion.
However, Shelton mounted a fierce response as the second set got underway. The American elevated his level and applied relentless pressure from the baseline, forcing his opponent into a succession of unforced errors to storm through the set 6-1 and level the match.
Carrying the momentum into the third set, Shelton continued to dictate play and energize the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. He broke through Alcaraz’s defenses once more to claim the third set 6-3, putting the defending champion on the brink of elimination and sending the home spectators into a frenzy.
Refusing to surrender his crown without a fight, Alcaraz displayed his trademark resilience in the fourth set. The Spaniard rebounded decisively, finding his range to take the set 6-1 and force the quarterfinal into a high-stakes, fifth-set decider.
The final set tested the physical endurance of both players to the absolute limit. Alcaraz encountered severe physical distress as the match wore on, noticeably struggling during changeovers and appearing to vomit into his towel during a break in play as fatigue set in.
Despite his evident physical struggles, Alcaraz fought tenaciously to stay level with the home favorite, pushing the contest all the way to a decisive 10-point tie-break. Shelton, however, maintained his composure under immense pressure, pulling away in the closing points to claim the tie-break 10-6 and secure the biggest win of his campaign.
Following the final point, the intense rivalry gave way to genuine mutual admiration. After four and a half hours of grueling combat, Shelton and Alcaraz met at the net, sharing smiles, words of encouragement, and a warm, prolonged embrace to acknowledge their shared effort.
Addressing the audience during his on-court interview, Shelton was quick to express his gratitude to the dedicated supporters who stayed through the night. He credited the unwavering energy from his coaches, support team, family, friends, and the vocal spectators chanting for the United States until 3 a.m. for carrying him across the finish line.
Shelton lauded the unique atmosphere of the venue, reiterating his deep appreciation for the host city. He declared New York to be the greatest sports city in the world and hailed Arthur Ashe Stadium as the premier arena in tennis, emphasizing how meaningful it was to compete under its lights.
Reflecting on the competitive battle, Shelton spoke with deep respect about sharing the court with Alcaraz. He described the encounter as a physical war and praised the Spanish star, emphasizing that Alcaraz is already established as one of the greatest champions the sport has seen at just 23 years of age.
Shelton added that facing Alcaraz was a thrilling challenge, noting that his opponent's extraordinary shot-making ability always makes for entertaining tennis. The American concluded by calling the dramatic quarterfinal the most enjoyable and rewarding match of his professional career so far.
With the historic victory secured, Shelton now turns his attention to his upcoming semifinal clash against Tiafoe. The highly anticipated meeting will determine which American contender advances to compete for the prestigious Grand Slam crown in the championship final.
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