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Fuming star throws racquet in battle of the billionaires

TheTools · 08.09.2026 21:28 · source · permalink

Updated September 9, 2026 - 3.58am. First published September 8, 2026 - 9.28pm

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Today’s key matches and results

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Carlos Alcaraz (2) vs Ben Shelton (8) - MATCH CENTRE

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Aryna Sabalenka (1) def. Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7)

Frances Tiafoe (11) def. Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (6)

Jessica Pegula (3) def. Emma Navarro (26) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

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Alcaraz to serve for the set!

Where did that come from? Caroz Alcaraz has broken Shelton to LOVE to give himself the chance to serve for the match.

Neither player to that point had so much as faced a break point, but to unforced errors gave Alcaraz the game seemingly out of nowhere.

"Not many men can break Shelton to love," Brenton Speed quipped in commentary for Nine.

Alcaraz will serve for the first set after breaking Shelton to love. AP Photo/Heather Khalifa

Alcaraz blinks first

Ben Shelton is the first to five in this opening set, but we're still on-serve.

Carlos Alcaraz had a sniff at a break then when up 0-30 -- neither player has faced a break yet -- before Shelton won the next four points to hold.

"Hard-working game for Shelton … captivating action," Nine caller Brenton Speed said.

Shelton sending down thunderbolts

We’re still on-serve in this first set, but Ben Shelton just sent down the fastest serve recorded at the tournament so far – a 239.7km/h thunderbolt.

It wasn't an ace, but as close to it. Alcaraz kind of just stuck the racquet out in the hope it would get back over the net, but it wasn't to be.

The time between the ball coming off Shelton’s racquet to hitting Alcaraz’ was just under nine tenths of a second. Crazy.

Shelton-Alcaraz underway

It’s just after 11pm local in New York City, and the men’s quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton has finally begun.

Serving first, Shelton makes a nervy hold.

This match will be a battle of the big serve. There was only one ace, but a couple of Shelton’s serves were north of 230km/h.

Third seed’s win overshadowed by bizarre comments

Jessica Pegula is through to the semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Emma Navarro.

It is fair to say Mary Carillo did not enjoy commentating it though.

“After this match I’m going to burn my clothes,” the American tennis Hall of Famer bizarrely said after watching an error.

“Look, I have nothing but respect for both of them. They’re very bright, and they’re very hard workers, all of that. This has been a tough match.”

Carillo then walked her comments back, sort of.

“It could be the lateness of the hour that’s getting to me and knowing I have to call the next match too and come back and call the women’s match. You know what, never mind, I’m fine.”

Mary Carillo during the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Getty Images

Tiafoe dreaming bigger in latest semi-final berth

Frances Tiafoe has higher hopes for himself in his latest US Open run, after a nerve-testing five-set comeback to reach the semi-final for a third time and underscore his mettle at the year’s final major.

The 11th seed has provided treasured memories for the home fans in New York, from his dragon-slaying defeat of Rafa Nadal en route to the 2022 semi-final, to his blockbuster win over compatriot Ben Shelton two years ago.

But the Cincinnati runner-up this year is ready to write a new chapter this time around, after a roller-coaster comeback performance against Alex Michelsen over five sets.

"I'm just a different person in general. Those two runs (to the semi-finals) were great, something I will cherish forever, but I'm not that person who I was when I made one in 2022 and when I made one in '24. I'm not that person. I'm excited to see what this me does," said Tiafoe, who plays either Shelton or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz next.

"I have higher hopes for myself. So yeah, it's great. The tournament is still going. There's a lot more tennis to be played, a lot more sets to be played, and a lot more physical things to be done. We're going to enjoy this, but we got to keep going."

Frances Tiafoe of the United States reacts. Getty Images

Pegula breaks again, closes in on semis

Jessica Pegula breaks Emma Navarros’s serve again as she closes in on the semi-finals.

Pegula leads 4-2 in the third set.

Third seed breaks back immediately

And now the third seed breaks back immediately, to love, and we are all square and back on serve with Jessica Pegula at 2-2 in the third set.

It’s not the highest quality quarter-final we’ve ever seen, but it is intriguing nonetheless.

Emma Navarro of the United States stretches to hit a return. AP Photo/Heather Khalifa

Blogger jinxes Pegula’s serve

And just as I send that previous post, Emma Navarro applies pressure to Jessica Pegula’s serve and breaks it.

Navarro leads 2-1 in the deciding set.

Pegula’s serve is firing again

There’s no mystery as to how Jessica Pegula was able to swing the momentum back her way.

The third seed only got 47 per cent of her first serves in play in the first set.

That number jumped to 70 per cent as she stormed back to win the second frame.

The crowd don’t really seem to know which American to cheer for.

Jessica Pegula. AP Photo/Adam Hunger

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