Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated remarkable resilience during his US Open return after nearly five months sidelined by a right wrist injury, pushing Ben Shelton to the limit in a historic, grueling encounter. Despite the Spaniard’s valiant effort, the American prevailed in a match that rewrote the tournament record books.
Record-Breaking Marathon Ends After 3 a.m.
The quarterfinal clash lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes, establishing a new benchmark for the longest match in US Open history. Play concluded in the early hours of the morning in New York, with both competitors visibly exhausted by the extreme physical demands.
Alcaraz Battles Physical Distress On Court
The toll on Alcaraz became strikingly apparent during the fourth set. The Spaniard vomited twice into a towel, a moment that underscored the severe physiological strain. Notably, he managed to signal to a courtside cameraman to move away before becoming ill, even appearing to alert the chair umpire to his need for space, though the broadcast still captured the scene.
Medical experts note that on-court vomiting is a stark indicator of the body reaching its breaking point, essentially signaling the athlete to stop. Alcaraz, however, refused to yield.
Fighting Spirit Forces Deciding Tiebreak
Displaying immense mental fortitude, Alcaraz rallied from fatigue to force a tiebreak when his body language suggested he was spent. The final set remained tightly contested, with both players holding serve until a super tiebreak decided the outcome. Alcaraz saved three critical break points that would have allowed Shelton to serve for the match at 5-3, extending the drama until the very last point.
Grace in Defeat and a Look Ahead
At the net, Alcaraz congratulated his opponent, telling him he deserved the victory. In his post-match assessment, the Spaniard expressed pride in his performance level after such a prolonged absence from competition.
The result guarantees an American finalist on Sunday. Ben Shelton will face compatriot Frances Tiafoe on Friday for a place in the championship match.
