Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was left impressed by the depth of the Ben Shelton-Carlos Alcaraz battle on the US Open, describing their quarter-final conflict as “some tennis” after a gripping five-set contest that went right down to the ultimate few factors.Shelton shocked defending champion Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a dramatic encounter that lasted 4 hours and 28 minutes. The American held his nerve within the deciding tiebreak to drag off one of many largest wins of his profession.Taking to X, Tendulkar praised the preventing spirit proven by each gamers all through the marathon contest.“That was some tennis! Each time it regarded like considered one of them had the match, the opposite fought his means again. After which it got here right down to the ultimate few factors.Effectively performed, Ben Shelton! Powerful luck, Carlos. Coming again after an harm makes this one even more durable,” Tendulkar wrote.
A battle that refused to settle
Tendulkar’s evaluation captured the character of a match that swung repeatedly between Shelton and Alcaraz.Alcaraz took the opening set in a tiebreak, however Shelton responded emphatically, successful the subsequent two units to maneuver inside considered one of a spot within the semi-finals. The Spaniard, nonetheless, refused to go quietly, taking the fourth set 6-1 and forcing a decider.The fifth set in the end wanted a 10-point tiebreak, with Shelton prevailing 10-7. He then completed the job in emphatic vogue, firing a 146 mph ace on match level. The competition additionally grew to become the latest-finishing match in US Open historical past, ending at 3:33 a.m. in New York.
Shelton ends Alcaraz’s title defence
The victory ended Alcaraz’s 18-match Grand Slam successful streak and despatched Shelton into the US Open semi-finals, the place he’ll face fellow American Frances Tiafoe. It was additionally Shelton’s first profession victory over a top-three opponent.For Alcaraz, the defeat got here throughout his first match since a four-and-a-half-month layoff due to a proper wrist harm. Regardless of the loss, the Spaniard mentioned he was pleased with how he fought again through the contest.