Greg Rusedski identifies Ben Shelton as the biggest threat to Carlos Alcaraz at US Open: "This is the perfect moment"
ATPTuesday, 08 September 2026 at 00:30
Greg Rusedski has identified Ben Shelton as the American with the best chance of stopping Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal between the defending champion and one of the most dangerous players left in the draw. With Alcaraz already looking close to his best after four months away, Rusedski believes Shelton has the weapons to make the Spaniard uncomfortable.
Shelton has backed up that assessment with one of the strongest performances of the tournament, destroying Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals. The 23-year-old fired 11 aces, won 83% of his first-serve points and did not face a single break point as he powered through the Greek.
Alcaraz, however, has been just as convincing since returning to competitive singles. The Spaniard dismantled Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last eight without dropping a set, producing an aggressive and inventive performance that suggested his four-and-a-half-month absence has done little to diminish his level.
The head-to-head still heavily favours Alcaraz, who leads Shelton 3-0, although the American took a set from him in their most recent meeting at Roland Garros in 2025. Now, with Shelton playing in front of the Arthur Ashe crowd and producing some of the best tennis of his career, Rusedski sees a rare opportunity for the American to finally break through against the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Rusedski believes Shelton has the weapons
Rusedski's assessment of the remaining Americans is unequivocal. While Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien have all reached the latter stages of the tournament, he does not believe they possess enough firepower to seriously trouble Alcaraz. Shelton, in his view, is different because he can take the racket out of the Spaniard's hands.
“Shelton, he's the guy that I'm looking to with the best chance to challenge and beat him," Rusedski said in Off-Court with Greg podcast. "I don't think the other guys can beat him. I don't think Michelsen, Tien or Tiafoe are ready. I don't think they have the firepower. You have to be able to hurt Alcaraz.”
Ben Shelton of the United States lifts the trophy during the trophy ceremony after winning his Men’s Singles final match against Brandon Nakashima of the United States on day 13 of the ATP Masters 1000 National Bank Open
That ability to hurt Alcaraz is what makes Shelton's serve such an important part of the matchup. The American's first strike can prevent the Spaniard from immediately dictating rallies, while his left-handed game gives him another way of creating uncomfortable patterns.
Rusedski was particularly impressed by Shelton's statement win over Tsitsipas and believes the quarterfinal will represent a much more significant test for Alcaraz than anything he has faced so far in New York.
“He's playing one of the hottest Americans going into the quarterfinals. Ben Shelton made a statement, destroyed Tsitsipas in three straight sets, and this is going to be a step up for Alcaraz. Alcaraz knows it because the Shelton serve is probably the best on the tour at the moment. Variety, mix. He gets the crowd behind him, but Alcaraz is so loved in New York.”
That last point could make Arthur Ashe an important part of the contest. Shelton has repeatedly shown how much energy he can draw from the crowd, while Alcaraz has also developed a strong following in New York. The result could be a quarterfinal in which both players are capable of feeding off the atmosphere rather than being overwhelmed by it.
“This is Shelton's real shot”
The timing of the match only strengthens Rusedski's belief that Shelton has a genuine opportunity. Alcaraz arrived at the US Open without having played a singles match since April, but his first four matches have rapidly removed the doubts surrounding his comeback.
For Shelton, that leaves a very simple equation. If he wants to make a serious run at his first Grand Slam title, eventually he has to beat players of Alcaraz's calibre. Rusedski believes there is no better moment for the American to attempt it.
“I think this is the box-office match. This is Shelton's real shot. If he's going to try to win a major, he's got to go through Alcaraz, and this is the perfect moment.”
The significance extends beyond Shelton himself. No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open triumph, and Shelton now has the chance to become the latest American to carry those expectations deep into the tournament.
Rusedski believes that makes the quarterfinal one of the defining matches of the US Open, particularly if Shelton can turn his enormous serve and power into sustained pressure against Alcaraz.
“For me, this is the men's match of the quarterfinals right now. And if an American has a hope to win this title and break that duck, where they haven't had a major winner since Andy Roddick over 20 years ago, this is the match that everybody's going to be talking about.”
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There is, of course, one major problem for Shelton: the man on the other side of the net. Alcaraz has looked increasingly dangerous with every round, and his performance against Paul suggested that the defending champion has already moved beyond the uncertainty that surrounded his return.
Rusedski's final assessment captures the tension perfectly. Shelton may have the weapons and the opportunity, but Alcaraz now looks ready for the kind of challenge that could define his title defence. “But I have a certain feeling that Mr. Alcaraz is ready for this now. He's back.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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