Ben Shelton avoids U.S. Open upset scare from unseeded Hubert Hurkacz in close four-set victory

Wednesday’s slate of men’s singles matches was highlighted by the top-seeded American Ben Shelton taking on the unseeded Hubert Hurkacz from Poland.

Shelton – seeded 8th overall in the men’s draw – has now had back-to-back four-set matchups in the 2026 U.S. Open.

The American bested Hurkacz on Wednesday, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), and 7-5. Shelton was overcome with emotion after the close match and had quite the celebration after clinching the final point.

The 2026 U.S. Open hasn’t been the smoothest sailing to the start of a major for the American star. Shelton dropped the first set of his first-round matchup against Tallon Griekspoor, but was able to bounce back with three straight sets to take the match.

After Wednesday’s victory, Shelton is through to the third round and will face the winner of Denis Shavlov and Luca Van Assche, both unseeded, who play later on Wednesday.

This is the sixth U.S. Open of the 23-year-old’s career. His best finish so far came in 2023, when he made it all the way to the semifinals. Shelton faced No. 2 Novak Djokovic, but lost in straight sets, 3-6, 2-6, 6-7 (4-7).

The third round has been a tough one for Shelton at this Grand Slam. He has reached the round three times before this year, and has lost in two of those appearances, including each of the last two years.

Shelton is one of six Americans who were seeded in the 2026 U.S. Open draw, joining Learner Tien (No. 14), Taylor Fritz (No. 9), Frances Tiafoe (No. 11), Brandon Nakashima (No. 16), Tommy Paul (No. 20).

For Hurkacz, it is another early exit from the final tennis major of the year. He has competed in eight U.S. Opens now, but is still looking for his first trip to the third round.

In his career, his best major finish came at Wimbledon in 2021, when he reached the semifinals before losing to Matteo Berrettini in four sets.