Carlos Alcaraz’s Quarterfinal Opponent at US Open 2026 Revealed

Carlos Alcaraz was surprised to learn that his quarterfinal opponent in the men’s singles at the US Open 2026 would be Ben Shelton, a local favorite. After missing the previous two Grand Slam tournaments due to injury, Alcaraz has been performing well so far, dropping only one set in his first four matches.

Alcaraz recently defeated Tommy Paul in a convincing manner, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. This victory made him the 10th player in the Open Era to defeat the same opponent at each Grand Slam tournament. However, during an interview with Andy Roddick, Alcaraz was confused when asked about his potential opponents. He discovered that he would face Shelton instead of Ilya Ivashka.

Shelton earned his spot in the quarterfinals by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. Despite being the underdog, Shelton showed he could challenge Alcaraz with his powerful shots and smart play. He will now prepare for a tough match against the defending champion.

Born in 2002 to a family with a strong tennis background, Shelton played American football as a child before focusing on tennis at age 12, coached by his father Bryan. He played college tennis for the Florida Gators and helped them win their first national title in 2021. Shelton turned pro in 2022, earning his first ATP victory and making his Grand Slam debut later that year.

Shelton will now aim to use his skills and experience to challenge Alcaraz in what promises to be an exciting match.