Can Carlos Alcaraz shatter all three Americans' dreams' on his way while defending his US Open crown?

Carlos Alcaraz could find himself in a fascinating battle against an entire nation at the US Open. The Spanish superstar is just three wins away from defending his title. But standing in his way are three American stars, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen. All three are in his half of the draw. Alcaraz faces Shelton in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. If he wins, he will meet either Tiafoe or Michelsen in the semi-finals.For American tennis fans, the stakes could hardly be higher. The United States has not produced a men’s singles champion at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy in 2003. Alcaraz could personally end the hopes of all three remaining American contenders before reaching the final. He knows the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd will be firmly behind his opponents.Can Carlos Alcaraz silence America’s dream of a home champion at US Open Carlos Alcaraz has been handed a difficult path to the US Open final.The defending champion first has to deal with Ben Shelton. The 23-year-old American is looking to reach his second US Open semi-final. More importantly, he is chasing his first career victory over Alcaraz.Shelton will have one major advantage. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.Alcaraz expects the packed New York crowd to make life difficult. He knows Shelton will feed off the support from the stands. But Alcaraz has already shown that he can handle big occasions.The seven-time Grand Slam champion is now just three victories away from successfully defending his US Open crown. Yet his route to the trophy could become a Spanish-American showdown.If he defeats Shelton, Alcaraz will meet either Frances Tiafoe or Alex Michelsen.Tiafoe is no stranger to the biggest stage in New York. The 28-year-old reached the US Open semi-finals in 2022 and 2024. He lost to Alcaraz in the last four three years ago.He is now chasing a third chance to reach his first Grand Slam final.Tiafoe has also arrived in New York with confidence. He reached the Cincinnati final last month and has continued to enjoy the energy of the home crowd.Michelsen presents a different challenge. The 22-year-old has quietly moved through the draw without dropping a set. He has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time.The world number 46 admitted he was happy to remain “under the radar”. That will now change.American tennis has enjoyed a strong run at this year’s US Open. Six American men and women have reached the quarter-finals, the country’s highest combined tally since 2002.But the men’s title drought remains. Since Roddick’s 2003 triumph, Taylor Fritz is the only American man to reach the US Open final. He lost to Jannik Sinner in 2024.Now Alcaraz stands directly between three American stars and another potential final.If he beats Shelton, then Tiafoe or Michelsen, the Spaniard could silence the American charge before playing for another title.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.