Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton will square off in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open on Tuesday night.
And that’s news to Alcaraz.
While chatting with Andy Roddick on the ESPN desk following his fourth-round win, the Spaniard admitted that he thought he was playing the winner of Daniil Medvedev vs. Frances Tiafoe — not the winner of Shelton vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“As we look ahead, Carlos, I’m sure your eyes will be on the match with Shelton and Tsitsipas,” Roddick commented. “Maybe just a quick word on the challenge that both of them could bring?”
Alcaraz: “Say again?”
Roddick: “You’re either going to play Shelton or Tsitsipas. Maybe just a word on both of them.”
Alcaraz: “Oh my god, I thought I was playing Medvedev or Tiafoe.”
Roddick: “Surprise! You’re welcome!”
“I didn’t see the draw, oh my god,” Alcaraz concluded as everyone at the desk continued to express wild amusement at the situation. “Alright, alright, let’s focus again!”
Alcaraz will have to focus, because Shelton presents a stern challenge. The 23-year-old American is already a U.S. Open semifinalist (2023) and he is back in the quarters thanks to wins over Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Thus continues a stellar hard-court swing for Shelton, who captured a second straight Canada Masters title in August.
Alcaraz’s preparation for the U.S. Open was much different. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been sidelined for more than four months due to a wrist injury, and this is his first tournament back. To say that it has gone well so far would be a gross understatement. Alcaraz advanced to the last eight while dropping just one set during defeats of Roman Safiullin, Jaime Faria, Yibing Wu, and Tommy Paul.
The world No. 3 is 3-0 lifetime against Shelton. He prevailed 6-3, 7-6(3) at the 2023 Toronto Masters, 6-4, 6-4 at the 2024 Laver Cup, and 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 at the 2025 French Open.
This should be a fun one, but Alcaraz is simply looking too good to pick an upset.
Pick: Alcaraz in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.