Shelton, Alcaraz’s rival in the final: “I don’t think there is a better person than Carlos, I told him about Ferrero before he met”

The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and the American Ben Shelton finished their duel in the quarterfinals of the US Open 2026 at three-thirty in the morning in New York. A madness that ended in favor of the American 10-7 in the supertiebreak of the fifth set. “I want revenge,” said the Murcian after sealing the reunion.

It will be today, Sunday at 3:00 p.m., in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris, an ‘indoor’ tournament on a fast surface, ideal for a ‘gunner’ like the left-hander. Ben Shelton. Even more explosive in style than his compatriot Taylor Fritz who had two match points against Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.

“The last time with Ben was very hard, now we will try to do different things in specific moments, in the important ones,” warned the Spaniard, delighted to reach his fifth final of the season, to be performing so well.

“I have more ambition and hunger in this unusual season for me, I have arrived fresher physically and mentally,” he stressed. The least negative part of the four and a half months out due to the right wrist injury.

Alcaraz wants revenge, which is understood to be purely sporting due to the excellent relationship between them. Ben Shelton reaffirmed it in a statement on the set of Tennis Channel talking about the signing of Juan Carlos Ferrero for next season. The Murcian’s former coach will do a duo with the American’s father, Bryan Shelton.

The Atlanta tennis player wanted to make it clear that he had a detail with Alcaraz before the union with Ferrero was leaked. “Obviously, I contacted him before the news broke. I wanted him to know, because I’m aware of how long and successful their relationship has been. And I don’t think there’s a better person on the circuit than Carlos Alcaraz,” Shelton said.

He loved the reaction of the Spanish tennis player, even though his contact with him has not yet been resumed. Juan Carlos Ferrero. “Alcaraz responded to me right away, right after winning in Vienna. He told me that he was very happy for me and that, by working with Juan Carlos, my game was going to undergo a great evolution.”

These words had a very positive impact on benwho noted that “that is precisely what makes him such a magnificent and elegant champion, someone our sport truly needs.”

They will be rivals for the fifth time. The balance is 3-1 for Alcaraz, but the last duel, the US OpenShelton took it. There is already a certain morbidity because the figure of the American is associated with Ferrero, although the impact will be greater when the one from Ontinyent is on Carlos’ rival bench on a central court.