Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Carlos Alcaraz Learns His US Open Quarterfinal Opponent
Carlos Alcaraz won his US Open match against Tommy Paul.
Afterward, he talked with former player Andy Roddick on television.
Alcaraz thought he knew who he would play next.
However, he had misunderstood the tournament draw.
Roddick told him that his next opponent would be Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Alcaraz looked surprised and said, “Really?
Oh my God,” before laughing.
Shelton then beat Tsitsipas in straight sets.
That result set up Shelton’s quarterfinal match against Alcaraz on Tuesday.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open round of 16.
Alcaraz mistakenly thought his quarterfinal opponent would come from the Frances Tiafoe-Daniil Medvedev match.
Andy Roddick corrected him, explaining that the opponent would come from the Ben Shelton-Stefanos Tsitsipas match.
Alcaraz reacted, “Really? Oh my God,” before laughing during the ESPN interview.
Ben Shelton beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to secure a quarterfinal meeting with Alcaraz.
- Who
- Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Roddick, Ben Shelton, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev.
- What
- Alcaraz learned during a television interview that his expected US Open quarterfinal opponent would come from the Shelton-Tsitsipas match, not the Tiafoe-Medvedev match.
- When
- After Alcaraz’s round-of-16 victory; the quarterfinal was scheduled for Tuesday.
- Where
- The US Open and an ESPN live television interview.
- Why
- Alcaraz had misunderstood his tournament draw, and Shelton’s victory determined the quarterfinal matchup.
- Alcaraz’s round-of-16 score
- 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 against Tommy Paul
- Initial opponent Alcaraz expected
- The winner of Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev
- Correct quarterfinal path
- The winner of Ben Shelton and Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Roddick’s role
- He corrected Alcaraz during a live ESPN interview
- Alcaraz’s reaction
- “Really? Oh my God,” followed by laughter
- Shelton’s result
- He defeated Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
- Next matchup
- Ben Shelton versus Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals