Sport
Defending Champion Alcaraz Eliminated from US Open 2026
Carlos Alcaraz has been knocked out of the 2026 US Open in the quarterfinals by American Ben Shelton after a grueling five-set match.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz saw his 2026 US Open campaign come to an end in the quarterfinals. The world number three from Spain, who had recently returned to the court following a four-month recovery from a wrist injury, was defeated by American player Ben Shelton, currently ranked ninth in the world.
The match, held at Flushing Meadows in the United States on September 9, 2026, was a highly competitive encounter that lasted four hours and 28 minutes. The two athletes traded leads throughout the contest, ultimately forcing a deciding fifth set. The match concluded with a tie-break, resulting in a 2-3 set victory for Shelton (7-6(5), 1-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(1-10)).
For tennis enthusiasts living in or visiting Thailand, this result marks a significant shift in the tournament bracket, as the defending champion is no longer in contention. While the immediate impact is limited to the sporting world, fans of international tennis will be watching to see how Shelton performs in the subsequent rounds. At this time, there are no further details regarding Alcaraz’s future tournament schedule or his physical condition following this lengthy match. Supporters should monitor official tennis association updates for any announcements regarding his recovery or upcoming appearances.