US Open: Four Americans In Quarter-Finals As Alcaraz Meets Shelton
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| Alcaraz in action |
Carlos Alcaraz faces 'special tennis' test against Ben Shelton in US Open Quarters. Aryna Sabalenka chasing three-peat as Jessica Pegula eyes World No.1 at US Open.
Under the lights in New York, contenders rose and dreams were tested. Tuesday’s US Open action set up quarter-finals with ranking points, history, and bragging rights on the line...
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces his biggest challenge so far when he meets in-form American Ben Shelton in a blockbuster US Open quarter-final on Tuesday.
Shelton is bracing for a fully fit Alcaraz, even though the seven-time Grand Slam winner is playing his first event in more than four months following a right wrist injury.
Shelton said of the Spaniard: “To me he looks very normal - his normal, I mean.”
Shelton is part of a big group of American men hoping to end the country's 23-year wait for a Grand Slam men's title. At least one home player will make the last four, with 11th seed Frances Tiafoe taking on fellow American Alex Michelsen on Tuesday. In the women's draw, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will also be chasing a semi-final berth against Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.
Down to 8️⃣! pic.twitter.com/AnqITPjDwu
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2026
Mon Diaries takes you through Tuesday's key matches at the US Open:
Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-Head Edge And Form
Alcaraz holds a 3-0 lead over Shelton. The defending champion arrived in New York as something of an unknown after his injury break, but he has raised his level in each round. He will almost certainly need to lift it again to deal with Shelton.
Shelton survived three gruelling four-set matches before dismantling Stefanos Tsitsipas with a dominant serving display. The American admits he will have to find another gear to beat Alcaraz.
“It wasn't my AA tennis,” said Shelton, who added it would take “special tennis” to topple Alcaraz.
“I think he's playing extremely high level,” Shelton said.
Alcaraz has put injury worries behind him and his big forehand looks back to full power. The one shot he says is still off is his serve. He’s compensated by mixing up returns to keep rivals on edge. The question is whether that tactic can disrupt Shelton and end the former semi-finalist’s push for a home Grand Slam.
Frances Tiafoe Looks To Extend American Run
Tiafoe leads head-to-head 2-0
Tiafoe leads the head-to-head 2-0.
The American booked his fourth US Open quarter-final with a straight-sets win over former champion Daniil Medvedev, leaving everything on the court.
A two-time semi-finalist in New York, Tiafoe dug deep from 5-6 down in the third-set tiebreaker to close it out. The win left him “super-pumped.”
Tiafoe will carry that momentum into a clash with 22-year-old fellow American Michelsen, who has stormed into his first Grand Slam quarter-final without losing a set.
“He's young, he's going to be juiced up,” Tiafoe said. “Let the best man win.”
Sabalenka Chasing Rare Three-Peat
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 2-0
Noskova broke into the sport's elite by winning her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, but two-time defending champion Sabalenka will need the 21-year-old Czech at her very best to have a chance.
Sabalenka has reached the US Open quarter-finals for a sixth time without dropping a set. Patchy results through the middle of the season mean she could still lose the world No.1 ranking even if she pulls off a rare three-peat in New York.
“It's going to be some fast tennis,” Noskova said, noting the many weapons Sabalenka has at her disposal.
“She's very consistent in whatever she does. Either the serve or she's going into every return that she can, just playing so, so solid from the baseline and not being afraid to go on the net as well and using some drop shots or slices to mix up the rhythm.”
All-American Clash: Pegula Faces Navarro
Pegula leads head-to-head 4-0
Pegula leads the head-to-head 4-0.
World No.3 Pegula goes into the first all-American women's US Open quarter-final since Serena Williams beat sister Venus in 2015 with the edge.
Pegula has beaten Navarro in all four of their previous meetings, including a win at Cincinnati last month.
“Jess is really tough,” Navarro said. “She probably hits the flattest ball on tour, keeps it low, can hit it short and flat or deep and it looks the same.
“I have lost to her a few times now, but there's always that time when you get over the hump and get the win.”
Pegula has lifted two titles in 2026 and is in the mix to knock Sabalenka off the No.1 spot in New York. But the 32-year-old will need to win her first Grand Slam to make that jump to the top.
Navarro, once ranked as high as No.8 in the world, has found form again after taking an extended break to deal with health issues. She ended a title drought of more than a year by winning in Strasbourg back in May.
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