India, Sept. 9 -- Carlos Alcaraz suffered a quarter-final exit at the 2026 US Open after losing to Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller that finished at 3.33am local time. The defeat ended the Spaniard's 18-match Grand Slam winning streak and his hopes of winning a third US Open title.

It also ensured New York will crown a new champion this year, with an American even guaranteed a place in the final. Frances Tiafoe and Shelton will meet in the semi-final, meaning one of them is certain to end the United States' wait for a homegrown men's singles champion at the US Open dating back to Andy Roddick's triumph in 2003.

But Alcaraz's defeat also means the so-called 'US Open curse' lives on: no man has successfully defended the title in New Yor...