Ben Shelton Beats Hubert Hurkacz in Four Sets at US Open 2026
Ben Shelton has reached the third round of the 2026 US Open after defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a closely fought four-set match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The American won the match 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 after three hours and 24 minutes of intense tennis. Both players relied heavily on their powerful serves, but Shelton was more consistent when it mattered most.
Shelton made a strong start and quickly put pressure on Hurkacz. He won the first set 6-3 in just 32 minutes, using his strong first serve and aggressive groundstrokes to control many of the rallies.
Hurkacz responded well in the second set. The Polish player stayed calm during the important points and managed to take the set 7-5, bringing the match level at one set each.
The third set was extremely close, with neither player able to create a clear advantage. With the score tied, the set went to a tiebreak. Shelton handled the pressure better and won the tiebreak 7-3, moving one set away from victory.
The fourth set was another battle. Both players protected their service games for most of the set, but Shelton found his opportunity late. He broke Hurkacz at an important moment and then served out the match to win the set 7-5.
The statistics also showed how close the contest was. Shelton won 144 points, compared with Hurkacz’s 133. Shelton also landed 72% of his first serves, while Hurkacz managed 58%.
Hurkacz produced more aces, hitting 14, but he also made seven double faults. Shelton’s second serve proved particularly important. He won 71% of points behind his second serve, compared with 63% for Hurkacz.
The match featured very few easy opportunities for either player. With both competitors serving strongly, many games were decided by small differences and important points. Shelton’s ability to stay focused during the biggest moments eventually made the difference.
The victory is another important step for Shelton at his home Grand Slam. This is his fourth consecutive appearance at the US Open, and he will now look to continue his run into the later rounds.
Shelton’s next opponent could be Denis Shapovalov or Luca van Assche, depending on the result of their second-round match.
For Hurkacz, the defeat continues a difficult record at the US Open. He has now failed to reach the third round in all seven of his previous attempts.
Shelton will now have time to recover before his next match. His powerful serve, aggressive style, and ability to win important points could make him a dangerous opponent as the tournament continues.
If he can maintain the same level of consistency and handle pressure during the key moments, Shelton could make a deep run at the 2026 US Open.