{
  "id": 6415894,
  "title": "Alcaraz says 'I leave with a smile' after epic US Open loss to Shelton",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/alcaraz-says-i-leave-with-a-smile-after-epic-us-open-loss-to-shelton",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T11:32:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alcaraz-says-leave-smile-epic-113217088.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz faced off in one of the most intense matches in U.S. Open history. The 23-year-old Spaniard, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, ultimately fell to the American in a five-set, nerve-wracking tiebreak marathon lasting until 3:33 a.m. Alcaraz, however, left the court not just smiling, but also feeling proud of his performance and physically healthy after a four-month break due to a wrist injury. Despite the loss, Alcaraz praised his opponent's complete and mature play, calling it the most enjoyable match he's ever had. Fans from both countries, Alcaraz supporters Anushka Sancheti and Prajakti Kapde, were among the thousands who remained throughout the grueling match. For Sancheti and Kapde, witnessing the historic contest between their favorite player and the defending champion was an unforgettable experience.",
  "summary": "At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonizingly tight tiebreak were over — and when the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history had concluded — Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling. Carlos Alcaraz, the player Shelton had just defeated in an entertaining, spine-tingling marathon, was smiling too. The dethroned defending champ grinned as he walked to the net to hug Shelton.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "US Open: Ben Shelton powers through Carlos Alcaraz in historic, late-night thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/us-open-ben-shelton-powers-through-carlos-alcaraz-in-historic-late",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:35:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Ben Shelton stuns defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to reach US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/ben-shelton-stuns-defending-champion-carlos-alcaraz-to-reach-us-open",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:44:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Shelton ends Alcaraz’s title reign in late-night marathon, will face Tiafoe in US Open semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/shelton-ends-alcarazs-title-reign-in-late-night-marathon-will-face",
        "published": "2026-09-09T08:03:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Shelton beats Alcaraz in latest-ever US Open finish to reach semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/shelton-beats-alcaraz-in-latest-ever-us-open-finish-to-reach-semis",
        "published": "2026-09-09T09:03:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Shelton ends Alcaraz's title in late-night marathon, will face Tiafoe in US Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/shelton-ends-alcarazs-title-in-late-night-marathon-will-face-tiafoe",
        "published": "2026-09-09T10:35:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "'That was some tennis': Tendulkar hails Shelton-Alcaraz US Open thriller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/that-was-some-tennis-tendulkar-hails-shelton-alcaraz-us-open-thriller",
        "published": "2026-09-09T12:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SB Nation",
        "title": "Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz made staying up until 3:33 a.m. worth it at the US Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/ben-shelton-and-carlos-alcaraz-made-staying-up-until-3-33-a-m-worth",
        "published": "2026-09-09T13:48:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}