‘3:33 am is annoying’: America’s Ben Shelton shocks U.S. Open fans

On September 7, 2022, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, the 2022 U.S. Open men's quarterfinals between American Ben Shelton and Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz concluded at an unprecedented time: 3:33 a.m. EST. This record-breaking finish marked the first time in U.S. Open history that a quarterfinal match extended into the early hours of the morning. Prior to this, Italy's Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz held the record, finishing at 2:50 a.m. on the same day.

Tennis experts, including Matthew Futterman of the Athletic, attributed the extended match length to the increasing physicality of the sport and the time allotted for each serve. The 30-second serve clock has not significantly reduced match duration, leading to more prolonged games. The U.S. Tennis Association has proposed various solutions, including a later start time for the night session, but logistical and local considerations make such changes difficult.

Despite the inconvenience for U.S. fans, the late finish allowed international viewers in regions like London and Madrid to catch the match during their breakfast hours. Fans across the country took to social media to express their reactions to Shelton's victory over Alcaraz in a five-set showdown, praising the match for its intensity and quality, and recognizing it as an unforgettable moment in U.S. Open history.