Andy Roddick claims Ben Shelton has a skill no other tennis player on Earth does after he beats Carlos Alcaraz

Ben Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open quarter-finals.

Delivering arguably the finest performance of his professional career, Shelton beat Alcaraz , 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6.

Shelton aced Alcaraz on match point past 3am on Wednesday morning, advancing to his second career US Open semi-final.

Former US Open champion Andy Roddick has now delivered his verdict on Shelton's performance.

Andy Roddick praises Ben Shelton's lefty-serve after watching him beat Carlos Alcaraz

During the latest episode of ' Quick Served ', Roddick said the following.

"What a big win for Ben Shelton . Finishing up at 3.30am in the morning," he said.

"Listen, Carlos [Alcaraz] coming back after injury and even attempting to win a Grand Slam is otherworldly.

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"His forehand was not landing the way it usually does, but Ben saw that and was able to adjust his game plan based on the moment and the Carlos Alcaraz he saw that night.

"He was breaking fantastically well. He returned really well, broke serve more than any of us thought he might in this match, and he did a fantastic job.

Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz – Match stats

"Even in the fifth set breaker, there wasn't a lot of looking up and saying come on; he kept inward and was disciplined and on message.

"It felt like such a massive growth match for Ben Shelton using that big lefty serve, running it in on his body at 145mph.

"That's a superpower he has which nobody on Earth has.

"I am smiling as I say this, but it sets up an all-American match with Frances Tiafoe."

No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

And since Roddick retired, only Taylor Fritz (2024 US Open) has played a major final.

However, with Shelton and Frances Tiafoe set for the semis, at least one American will advance to the 2026 US Open men's singles final.

Shelton is the favourite and rightly so.

After all, he did just beat the defending champion and world number three.

The 23-year-old's serve, as Roddick mentioned, is one of the most dangerous weapons in modern tennis.

If he plays like he did against Alcaraz, Tiafoe may not stand a chance.

But if his level dips, his countryman won't hesitate to take advantage…

Ben Shelton rises to provisional career-high ranking

Provided Tiafoe doesn't win the US Open, Shelton will debut at a career-high of fourth on Monday.

And if Shelton wins the US Open, he will close the gap to Alcaraz to within 200 points.

For a player many criticised earlier this year, that's pretty good going.

Shelton's inconsistent form was questioned, playing like a top-five player one week before losing in the first round the next.

This summer, Shelton has established himself as an elite talent.

The American defended his Canadian Open title, and is now back in the US Open semi-finals.

Whether he finishes the job and wins his first Grand Slam or not, Shelton will remember this US Open swing for the rest of his career.

But there is a job to do, and the 23-year-old will be 100% focused on the task at hand.

Shelton will return to play Tiafoe in the semi-finals on Friday, September 11.