Ben Shelton could deal Carlos Alcaraz another major blow after US Open defeat and end five-year streak

Carlos Alcaraz could be dealt a second blow by Ben Shelton after being beaten by the American in a five-set thriller at the US Open.

Their quarter-final spanned nearly four-and-a-half hours and finished at 3:34am local time, marking the latest-ever finish to a US Open match.

Alcaraz's status as world number three will remain secure despite his exit, but Shelton could still end a remarkable streak held by the Spaniard when the pair return to action later this month.

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How Ben Shelton can overtake Carlos Alcaraz after US Open

Shelton will face an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who has already moved up four places in the rankings to world number eight.

As far as Shelton is concerned, the 23-year-old is at a career-high ranking of number four, which is where he is guaranteed to finish the tournament as long as he beats Tiafoe.

Should he go on to win his first-ever Grand Slam, he will narrowly miss out on overtaking Alcaraz, who has 5,560 points in comparison to Shelton's maximum projected total of 5,380.

While Alcaraz currently trails Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner in the rankings, he still holds top spot among players aged under 24.

He has been the highest-ranked player at the end of every week among players in that age category since 2021, when he played his first Grand Slam event.

But Shelton, who turns 24 in exactly a month, could surpass him just two days before his birthday.

Ben Shelton celebrates during his victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open (Image: Getty)

That is because both players have entered the Japan Open, which takes place between September 30 and October 6 in Tokyo. The ATP 500 event awards 500 ranking points to the winner, while Alcaraz is also the defending champion.

With the Spaniard still getting back to his absolute best after recovering from a serious wrist injury - the US Open is his first tournament since all the way back in April - there may therefore be an opportunity for Shelton to surpass him in the rankings.

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Carlos Alcaraz achieved unwanted career first vs Ben Shelton

Alcaraz lost 10-7 to Shelton in a hotly-contested final-set tiebreak, with the crowd erupting once the home favourite got over the line.

It meant that the Spaniard had lost a final-set tiebreak at the US Open for the first time in his career, across 28 matches at the tournament.

Alcaraz smiled as he walked off the court and fist-bumped an official, before later praising the way his opponent played over five gruelling sets.

"The fifth set, I started to feel better and better," Alcaraz said. "But I was playing against someone who is a beast. Shelton is an unbelievable player, powerful. He manages to play really well in every situation, so credit to him.

"But I leave the court happy, I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed."