Ben Shelton reached the US Open quarter-finals on Monday with a straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, setting up a high-profile meeting with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and reviving hopes of an American man winning a Grand Slam title.
Shelton defeated the eighth-seeded Greek 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old controlled the match from the opening set and never allowed Tsitsipas to establish a sustained rhythm. Tsitsipas also required a medical timeout during the second set.
The victory puts Shelton into his first US Open quarter-final and gives the United States two men in the last eight, with Alex Michelsen also reaching the stage after defeating Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
The result carries particular weight for American tennis because Andy Roddick remains the last US man to win a Grand Slam singles title, at the 2003 US Open. Shelton now has a chance to take another step towards ending that long wait.
Reuters’ report on Shelton’s victory
Alcaraz stands between Shelton and the semi-finals
Shelton’s next opponent will be Alcaraz, who entered the quarter-finals after defeating Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
The Spaniard has looked increasingly comfortable as the tournament has progressed. His victory over Paul followed another straight-sets performance from world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to reach the women’s quarter-finals.
Monday’s programme also featured several major fourth-round contests, including Iga Swiatek against Zheng Qinwen, Coco Gauff against fellow American Iva Jovic, Naomi Osaka against Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev against Luciano Darderi.
Official US Open results and highlights
The tournament has therefore reached a stage where established champions and a younger generation of challengers are colliding. Shelton’s emergence gives the American men’s draw an unexpected storyline, but Alcaraz remains the immediate obstacle.
For Shelton, the quarter-final represents more than a career milestone. A victory over the defending champion would establish him as a serious contender for the biggest titles in the sport.
