ATP
Record late finish as Shelton stuns Alcaraz
Ben Shelton wrapped up the latest match finish in US Open history early Wednesday with a 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) marathon win which sent Carlos Alcaraz out in the quarter-finals.
The American winner, seeded eighth, will play countryman Frances Tiafoe, who won another epic over countryman Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (10-6).
The match ended around three-quarters of an hour later than the previous record all-nighter, when Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in a quarter-final that ended at 2:50 a.m.
Shelton drilled a service ace past two-time defending champion Alcaraz to end proceedings after four hours, 28 minutes of play as the clock struck just after 3:30 a.m.
Fans rushed out post-match to try and catch 24-hour subway trains back to the city as the controversy over unreasonably late finishes is sure to flare against this week.
Shelton duplicated his Open semi-final from 2023 and a final four appearance at the 2025 Australian Open.
He and Tiafoe will play an all-American semi for the third time this century after Andre Agassi – Robby Ginepri (USO 2005) and Taylor Fritz-Tiafoe (USO 2024).
Shelton could do little more than praise the fervent fans who stayed until the end.
“It’s always about the people in the crowd and my coaches, family and friends who showed up tonight and stayed until 3 a.m.,” the son of a former ATP player said.
“That stayed with me to the end and got me the win tonight.”
Shelton paid the obligatory homage to the most chaotic and pricey of the four Grand Slams: ‘It’s incredible, this is the greatest sports city in the world.
“I’m grateful and blessed to be here, it was an honour to share the court with Carlos.”
The Spaniard who won the title in 2022 and last year, earned the first set but was unable to keep up his level as he won only four games as Shelton roared to win nine on the trot and establish a 2-1 lead on sets .
The 23-year-old from Florida held on through an Alcaraz resurgence to take the fourth before reapplying the pressure on an opponent who was playing his first event since missing nearly five months with a wrist injury.
Alcaraz lost for just the second time in 33 matches at a major since Roland Garros last year and had won 18 straight coming into the Shelton encounter. He had never lost an an American at the Slams, but now stands 13-1 in his career.
While the victorious Shelton called the contest “the most enjoyable match that I’ve had in my career,” Alcaraz also walked away relatively satisfied even in defeat.
“My expectation was to go there, compete, play in these kind of matches for me being healthy.
“It was close. So I’m just not going to be disappointed about don’t getting the win at the end.
“I’m just happy. I’m just proud about myself, about how I fought.
“After the third set, physically I was really tired, but I found a way to push myself up and physically giving extra.
“In the fifth set I just started to feel better and better, but you
know, I was playing against one of the — he is a beast.
“Shelton is an unbelievable player, powerful. He just managed how to play really, really well in every situation, so credit to him.
“But, you know, I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.”
Main photo:-Ben Shelton reaches for a backhand during win over Alcaraz – by ISF Ltd
Lorenzo Musetti brought an end to four years of poor luck on Sunday as the Italian ended a seven-match losing streak in ATP finals with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Taylor Fritz to win the Lyon event.
The 24-year-old who has been plagued by recent injuries, became the fourth Italian this season to lift the honours.
Musetti, currently ranked 26th after once hitting fifth in the world, last lifted a trophy at Naples.
He profitted from nearly 30 unforced errors from second-seeded American Fritz in the final which turned his fortunes.
“It is totally unexpected for the history of this tournament for me this week. It is such a roller coaster,” the winner said..
“I saved four match points and played a fantastic final. Before I stepped on court I was feeling pain everywhere.
“But I started to focus on the match and the tennis I think was my best. I am really proud and happy of this.”
Musetti credited his fighting spirit with leading to the welcome victory. “I had an incredible attitude. I have to say thanks to my team.
“The medical staff and physio (got me) back in shape. Today I felt more relaxed inside my head and my tennis was more fluid and it was a great performance…
“It is such a dream I don’t want to wake up,” he said after defeating Fritz, who had reached the final without losing a set this week in France.
Main photo:- Lorenzo Musetti wins in Lyon – by Grand Prix Auvernge-Rhone
Daniil Medvedev conquered his personal demons as he defended an ATP title for the first time on Sunday with a 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-3 Almaty Open win over Nicoloz Basilashvili.
The trophy in Kazakhstan marked the fourth this season for ATP Finals candidate Medvedev and the 25th of his career.
Despite seasons of success, the former world No. 1 had never managed to repeat a finals victory at the same venue.
“I knew it was just a matter of time, luck, the moment,” he said before heading to the Vienna event.
“I was feeling fresh this week, I’m happy to win here again.”
The 30-year-old world No. 5 maintained his Tour lead with the most hardcourt title this season after claiming his 38th in just under two hours against his Georgian opponent, aged 38 who came through qualifying to reach the title match
He has now won eight straight matches in Almaty.
Medvedev was forced to play catch-up after dropping the opening set but kept his comeback confidence high.
“I knew (winning) would not be easy but I had my chances in the first set and the tiebreaker.
“I thought I would be able to turn it around and I’m happy to win, of course.”
Main photo:- Daniil Medvedev with Almaty trophy in Kazakhstan – by ATPTour.com
Daniil Medvedev has come down against any potential favouritism for Novak Djokovic in case the veteran Serb fails to qualify into the field for the eight-man ATP Finals next month.
Djokovic currently stands provisional 11th in the race to the November 15 shootout in Turin, with ninth palace needed to book a place in the season wrapup.
The cut-off has been extended by one place, with Jannik Sinner ending his season early as the world No. 1 struggles with a knee injury.
Djokovic, who won the China Open title in Beijing just weeks ago, will try to add to his points next week as a wildcard at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, hometown of now-retired Roger Federer.
Djokovic, with the record 24 career Grand Slam singles titles, would be a likely candidate for a wild card entry if ATP officials could craft such an unorthodox solution at the year-ender for the sentimental box office drawcard..
But Medvedev, currently sixth in the provisional standings and set to add to his point total after reaching the weekend final in Kazakhstan, is having nothing of it.
“Novak still has two tournaments to try to make it, and in Beijing he played great. I didn’t see any of his matches in Shanghai,” Medevedv told Britain’s Tennishead website.
“He has his chances. But if he’s there, everyone will be happy to see him there because also, he announced he’s going to play this year if he’s there.
“If he’s not, that’s a part of life; let’s see what next year can bring to him.”
Former world No. 1 Medvedev won the Finals in 2020 over Dominic Thiem and lost the final a year later to Alexander Zverev.
Djokovic owns a record seven titles at the elite showpiece. He skipped playing the event at the previous two editions despite qualifying into the field.
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev – by ISFLtd
Musetti buries 7-final loss streak
Daniil defeats his demons with first title defence
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