Ben Shelton advanced to the U.S. Open third round with a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory over Hubert Hurkacz on September 2, 2026, fueled by the raucous support of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
The eighth-seeded American survived a grueling three-hour, 24-minute match against his Polish opponent, overcoming a second-set slump and a tense fourth-set showdown to secure his place in the next round. Shelton credited the partisan New York crowd for helping him “power throughthe contest, calling the atmosphere
the greatest tennis stadium in the world” in a post-match interview.
The Crowd’s Impact on Shelton’s Victory
Shelton’s win hinged on the energy of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. The American admitted he strained to hear an on-court reporter
after the match, highlighting how the noise level affected communication. If I was commentating I would talk about how loud this crowd was from start to finish,
he said, per Reuters.
The crowd’s influence was most evident in the third set, where Shelton broke Hurkacz’s momentum by capitalizing on the home advantage. After Hurkacz gave it away in the tiebreak, letting Shelton get off to a costly 3-0 headstart, Shelton surged. The audience inside a mostly-filled Arthur Ashe Stadium—[he] described it as the greatest tennis stadium in the world—roared before the final set,
noted the nydailynews.com report.
Shelton’s Reflections on the Match
Shelton acknowledged the challenge posed by Hurkacz, who fought back from a set down to force a fourth set. I know I was never down in terms of set score, but the momentum definitely shifted,
he said. I mean, he hit another gear when I was up a set in the break, and the match was fully in my control to up in the air.
The American credited his ability to adapt to Hurkacz’s game style as crucial to the win. I found so many things in terms of game style
near the end of the match, he said. Both players showcased their versatility, with Shelton and Hurkacz using a variety of shots — forehands, backhands, drop shots, overhead smashes and overhead volleys — and spins during rallies throughout the afternoon. The match’s intensity was underscored by a pivotal moment in the third set when Shelton’s 12th winner—a lob that bounced on the hardcourt before landing into the first-row seats—decisively shifted the momentum.
Shelton also reflected on the physical and mental toll of the match. I think being battle tested is great. Don’t think you want to be playing five setters all the time,
he said. While he admitted he could have won more efficiently, he praised Hurkacz’s performance. A lot of it was just credit to [Hurkacz], and the level that he started to bring.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This victory moves Shelton closer to potentially being the first American to win the Open since Andy Roddick in 2003, a 23-year U.S. men’s major title drought he is bidding to end. While Shelton downplayed the historical significance, he acknowledged the pressure. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve thought about the American drought, other than being in these [interview] rooms,
he said.
The win also marks a personal milestone for Shelton, who moved into the third round of the Open, the same point he was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury in 2025. With the tournament’s player field having a lot of hot players right now, including defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Shelton faces a steep challenge in his quest. However, his resilience against Hurkacz suggests he is gaining confidence as the tournament progresses.
As the U.S. His ability to thrive under pressure underscores his potential. For now, the American remains focused on the next round, stating, I’m kind of just running my own race.
I’m focusing on the next round, thinking about the ways that I can improve and get better and continue to improve my game.
