The U.S. Open Has Never Seen Anything Like That Alcaraz–Shelton Match. It Was Even More Surreal in Person.

Carlos Alcaraz has lost his U.S. The contest reached its conclusion at 3:33 a.m., marking a late-night finish for the tournament. The outcome means Alcaraz is no longer the defending champion of the event. Coverage from The New York Times emphasizes the emotional reaction of the losing player.

Despite the loss of his title, the report notes that Carlos Alcaraz responded to the defeat by grinning like a Cheshire cat. This specific detail about his demeanor after the match highlights a contrast between the competitive stakes of the U.S. Open and Alcaraz's personal reaction to the conclusion of the play at such an unconventional hour. The context of this match involves the high stakes of the U.S.

Open, one of the premier events in professional tennis. While the coverage provided focuses on the immediate aftermath and the specific time of the match's conclusion, the focus remains on how the transition of the title affects the bracket.