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Surprise! Alcaraz Learns During ESPN Interview He Was Wrong About His Next US Open Opponent
Alcaraz laughed after learning on ESPN that Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas would decide his quarterfinal opponent, with his next match set for Tuesday.
On Sunday, defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz appeared on ESPN with 2003 champion Andy Roddick, jokingly saying, 'Oh my God, I thought I was playing Medvedev-Tiafoe,' upon learning his quarterfinal opponent would be either Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Alcaraz had just defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals, extending his tournament run to just one dropped set across four matches despite returning from a five-month absence.
Ben Shelton secured his US Open quarterfinal spot by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night in 1 hour and 51 minutes, marking his first quarterfinal appearance in three years.
Shelton and Alcaraz will face off on Tuesday, with the American stating, 'I think it's going to be fireworks on Tuesday night,' while Alcaraz enters as the presumed favorite to advance.
Despite never beating Alcaraz, Shelton believes he has improved significantly since their last meeting around 15 months ago, bolstered by three titles won this year on different surfaces, though Alcaraz defeated him in a tight 2025 French Open tiebreak.