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Agencies

At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonisingly tight tiebreak were over – and when the latest-finishing match in US Open history had concluded – Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling.
Carlos Alcaraz, the player Shelton had just defeated in an entertaining, spine-tingling marathon, was smiling too.
The dethroned defending champ grinned as he walked to the net to hug Shelton. And he did so again a few minutes later when he stood in a hallway surrounded by reporters, reflecting on a night that seemed to have taken every ounce of his strength to endure.
“I leave the court happy,” Alcaraz said. “I leave the court with a smile. I am proud of myself, how I fought.”
There was probably not a single person in Arthur Ashe Stadium who would have disagreed.

Though many of the thousands of fans who remained until the 3.33am conclusion – yes, you read that time right – cheered for Shelton, the top-ranked American who now meets compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semis, there were plenty who cheered for Alcaraz, one of the most charismatic players of his or any generation, and one of the most naturally gifted players ever born.
“Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole,” Alcaraz’s fans chanted, and “Vamos Carlos!” – competing with shouts of “USA, USA” or just “Let’s Go, Ben!”.
Most importantly, Alcaraz said he was leaving healthy. That had been a real concern going into this US Open after a four-month break due to a wrist injury.
“As I said before the tournament began, my expectation was to go there, compete, play these kinds of matches, be healthy,” he said after his 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 defeat.
“I mean it was close, it really was close, so I was disappointed I didn’t get the win in the end, but I’m just happy … physically I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself.”
The Spaniard also had nothing but praise for Shelton, who played the match of his young career to defeat the seven-time grand slam champion.
“Shelton played a very complete, very mature match,” Alcaraz said in Spanish. “He knew exactly what to do at every moment. And, physically, he’s a beast. It seemed like he had no weaknesses whatsoever.”
Shelton on his part said the match “was a war”.
“Carlos is one of the greatest champions of our sport,” he said. “It was the most enjoyable match I’ve had in my career, for sure.”

Alcaraz had arrived at the US Open with much uncertainty as to how much of a liability his wrist injury remained.
But he seemed healthy from the start, and said he felt better than expected. In his first four rounds he lost only one set.
“It feels like I’ve been competing the whole time,” he said of his extended break. “I surprise myself the way that I’m feeling, and the way that I’m recovering after every match.
“I’m just really happy about it,” he had said after advancing to the fourth round, “that I’m able to perform at my best after every match.”
Alcaraz also said he would be taking more long breaks in the future, since he did not need to depend on a rhythm or to play a lot of tournaments. And he was so relaxed, he did not even know, after handily defeating Tommy Paul in his fourth-round match, who he would be facing next. Former US Open champ Andy Roddick, a commentator for ESPN, let him know.
Then came Tuesday’s (and Wednesday’s) quarter-finals, and Shelton. After Alcaraz won the first, tight set, Shelton started playing out of his mind. He took the next two sets. Alcaraz rallied for the fourth, and then the two traded games in a nerve-racking fifth.
Shelton’s match-up with compatriot Tiafoe boosts home hopes of a first American men’s grand slam ‌champion since 2003.
“For me it’s always about the people in the crowd,” Shelton said in explaining how he got through the gruelling ⁠contest.
“Whether it’s my coaches and my team there, all my family and friends here, or the city of ‌New York that showed up tonight till 3am with the USA chants until the very end.
“That’s what kept me going, and that’s what got me ‌this win tonight.

“It’s incredible. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in ⁠the world. I say ⁠that this is the greatest stadium in the world.”
Shelton added: “I’m hoping that my best friend and my sister up there ‌don’t have to be at ‌work in three hours.
“It would be huge from their employers to let them have the day off today.
“To be here in front of you guys tonight is an absolute honour. Sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour, and I cherish every moment I have out here.”


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Carlos Alcaraz says ‘I leave with a smile’ after epic US Open loss to Ben Shelton

US Open (tennis)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain waves to the crowd after his loss to Ben Shelton of the US in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Ben Shelton’s win sets up a last-four clash with compatriot Frances Tiafoe. Photo: EPA

The stadium clock showing when the match ended and how long it lasted. Photo: AFP

Carlos Alcaraz (left) was making his comeback after almost five months out. Photo: EPA

Zheng Qinwen says return to form ‘painful process’ after win over Iga Swiatek at US Open

Zheng Qinwen is all smiles after her stunning US Open women’s singles victory over Iga Swiatek. Photo: EPA

Before the US Open, Zheng Qinwen’s best result this year was reaching the quarter-finals at the Athens Open in July. Photo: AFP

Iga Swiatek hits a return during her women’s singles clash with Zheng Qinwen. Photo: EPA

Alexandra Eala crashes out of US Open after Zheng Qinwen downs Keys in epic upset

Alexandra Eala’s US Open is over for another year. Photo: EPA

Zheng Qinwen pulled off a remarkable win in New York. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Tennis

Dethroned Spaniard comes away ‘proud’ in defeat, while American’s win boosts hopes of a first hometown male grand slam winner since 2003


Dethroned Spaniard comes away ‘proud’ in defeat, while American’s win boosts hopes of a first hometown male grand slam winner since 2003.


Ben Shelton

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz says ‘I leave with a smile’ after epic US Open loss to Ben Shelton

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Dethroned Spaniard comes away ‘proud’ in defeat, while American’s win boosts hopes of a first hometown male grand slam winner since 2003

Dethroned Spaniard comes away ‘proud’ in defeat, while American’s win boosts hopes of a first hometown male grand slam winner since 2003