Ben Shelton vs. Carlos Alcaraz: US Open Match Preview, How to Watch, Odds

bet365 News Team Updated: 10 hours ago

A blockbuster quarter-final clash is set at the US Open as Carlos Alcaraz takes on home favorite Ben Shelton.

Location	Arthur Ashe Stadium
Date	Tuesday, September 8
Start Time	8:10 PM ET
TV Channel	ESPN

As the US Open final draws closer, the matchups on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows are becoming increasingly compelling. Battling for a spot in the semi-finals from the bottom half of the 2026 draw are two top-ten powerhouses: Carlos Alcaraz, who has made a commanding return after a forced four-month hiatus, and Ben Shelton, who appears to have found consistency after a period of mixed results.

The victor will proceed to a semi-final against the winner of the all-American derby between Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen.

Alcaraz's Dominant Return to Form

While there were legitimate doubts about his physical condition heading into the US Open, Alcaraz has swiftly put them to rest. The Spaniard has looked unstoppable, racking up wins with disarming regularity. He has secured four convincing victories in New York, each more authoritative than the last.

His campaign began with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Roman Safiullin. He then defeated Portugal's Jaime Faria, dropping his only set of the tournament so far in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 victory. Alcaraz followed this with two more dominant performances, dispatching Yibing Wu 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, conserving valuable energy in the process.

Shelton's Path to the Quarter-Finals

Ben Shelton, the 8th seed, has faced a tougher road, winning only one of his matches in straight sets—his fourth-round victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. A favorite of the New York crowd, the American began his tournament with a comeback win against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, recovering from a slow start to win 1-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-2. He then overcame Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in a hard-fought battle, securing a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 victory.

Another marathon match followed in the third round against Canadian Denis Shapovalov, which extended late into the night and ended in a four-set thriller: 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. Shelton then delivered his most commanding performance, defeating a resurgent Tsitsipas with an impressive 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win.

Head-to-Head History: Alcaraz vs. Shelton

The two players have met three times between 2023 and 2025, with Alcaraz winning on every occasion. Their first two encounters were on hard courts in Canada and at the Laver Cup. Their most recent clash was on the clay of the French Open last year, where Shelton fell in four sets.