US Open 2026: Ben Shelton admits he will need “special tennis” to beat Carlos Alcaraz for first time in quarter-finals

Ben Shelton, the eighth seed at the 2026 US Open, will face third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on September 8 at Flushing Meadows. Shelton, who has 12 wins on the U.S. hard court swing including a Toronto title, has lost all three of his previous matches against the Spaniard. The American admitted he will need 'special tennis' to beat Alcaraz, who is competing in his first tournament back after five months out through injury.