US Open 2026 Day 10 Preview: Alcaraz and Shelton Set for an Arthur Ashe Stadium Blockbuster
The second week of the 2026 US Open moves into full flight on Tuesday, September 8, with three compelling quarterfinals leading the Day 10 schedule at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will face the explosive Ben Shelton in a match built for the Arthur Ashe Stadium spotlight. Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen will contest an all-American quarterfinal, guaranteeing the United States a place in the men’s semifinals. On the women’s side, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka meets reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in a heavyweight battle between two of the biggest ball-strikers in the draw.
Here is our complete Day 10 preview, including the principal tactics, decisive matchups and predictions.
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton: Power Meets Possibility
Few matches can match the sheer entertainment potential of Carlos Alcaraz against Ben Shelton.
Alcaraz arrived in New York as the defending men’s champion but without his usual competitive preparation. After an injury-interrupted season and five months away from singles competition, the Spaniard could have been forgiven for needing time to rediscover his best tennis.
Instead, Alcaraz has steadily played his way into the tournament.
After dropping one set during his opening four rounds, the No. 2 seed produced his cleanest performance of the fortnight against Tommy Paul. Alcaraz defeated the American 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, extending his Grand Slam winning streak to 18 matches and reaching another US Open quarterfinal. The official men’s draw confirms his route through the opening four rounds.
Shelton was even more emphatic in the fourth round. The American overwhelmed Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, using his serve, first-strike forehand and athleticism to prevent the Greek from settling into the contest. It was the type of commanding performance that reminded everyone why Shelton remains one of the most dangerous players in a fast hard-court environment. USOpen.org reported that the victory carried Shelton into his second career US Open quarterfinal.
The Tactical Battle
Shelton’s serve is the obvious starting point. The left-hander can generate extraordinary speed and angle, particularly when he swings the ball away from a right-handed opponent on the ad court.
Against Alcaraz, however, pace alone is rarely enough.
The Spaniard is one of the game’s most instinctive returners. He can block a fast delivery deep, shorten his backswing when rushed and immediately turn a neutral rally into an attacking opportunity. Shelton must therefore vary his placement and include the occasional body serve rather than allowing Alcaraz to anticipate the wide delivery.
The American’s forehand will be equally important. Shelton cannot afford to become passive and let Alcaraz control the middle of the court. He needs to attack early, finish points at the net and make the defending champion feel constant pressure.
Alcaraz will look to stretch the court in a different way. His drop shot could be particularly effective against Shelton, whose return position and explosive baseline movement can occasionally leave space in the forecourt. Alcaraz can also use his backhand down the line to avoid feeding Shelton’s forehand during cross-court exchanges.
The longer and more varied the rallies become, the more the match should favour Alcaraz. Shelton’s best chance is to compress points, protect his service games and make each set depend on one or two high-pressure moments.
Alcaraz vs. Shelton Prediction
Shelton has the serve, athleticism and home support to make this uncomfortable. If he serves exceptionally well, a tiebreak or two feels almost inevitable.
Alcaraz, however, owns more ways to win. His defence, returning, touch and ability to change pace should eventually expose the areas Shelton is unable to cover with raw power.
Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in four sets.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Alex Michelsen: An American Semifinalist Guaranteed
For American tennis, this quarterfinal represents both a breakthrough and an opportunity.
Frances Tiafoe has experienced some of the finest moments of his career in New York. He reached the US Open semifinals in 2022 and returned to the final four in 2024. The energy of the crowd suits his personality, while the lively hard courts reward his speed, improvisation and ability to redirect pace.
Tiafoe earned his latest quarterfinal appearance by defeating former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The No. 11 seed played with conviction when it mattered, producing an inspired closing stretch to eliminate one of the tournament’s most accomplished hard-court players. The ATP confirmed that Tiafoe advanced to face Michelsen after his victory over Medvedev.
Michelsen’s arrival at this stage is less familiar but no less impressive.
The 22-year-old has not surrendered a set during his first four matches. He defeated No. 27 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4 in the fourth round to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. His run has also included a victory over Brandon Nakashima, one of the form players of the North American hard-court season. USOpen.org noted that Michelsen reached the last eight without dropping a set.
Can Michelsen Control the Baseline?
Michelsen has the height and reach of a power player, but his game is more nuanced than his frame might suggest. His two-handed backhand is dependable, he reads the court well and he is comfortable changing direction before an opponent has established control of the rally.
That backhand will be central to his chances against Tiafoe.
Tiafoe often uses his forehand to create sharp angles and pull opponents away from the centre of the court. Michelsen must resist the temptation to overplay from defensive positions. If he can absorb Tiafoe’s pace, keep the ball deep and make the veteran hit an additional shot, he can turn this into a demanding physical contest.
Tiafoe will want to test Michelsen’s movement, especially when changing direction from the forehand side. He should also use his experience to vary his return position and disrupt the younger American’s serving rhythm.
The atmosphere could become a factor. Michelsen has played all four of his singles matches away from Arthur Ashe Stadium, while Tiafoe understands exactly how to use the energy of the tournament’s largest court. Michelsen’s ability to remain composed during the opening games could determine whether this becomes a long battle or a showcase for the more experienced American.
Tiafoe vs. Michelsen Prediction
Michelsen’s set record cannot be ignored. He has played disciplined, efficient tennis and possesses enough court craft to frustrate Tiafoe.
Yet this is a significant change in environment and occasion. Tiafoe has repeatedly demonstrated that he can raise his level in New York, and his victory over Medvedev should give him enormous belief.
Expect Michelsen to take at least one set, but Tiafoe’s explosiveness and familiarity with the moment may prove decisive.
Prediction: Frances Tiafoe to win in four sets.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Linda Noskova: Major Champions Collide
The most imposing women’s quarterfinal on Day 10 features the reigning champions of the US Open and Wimbledon.
Aryna Sabalenka is attempting to win a third consecutive title in New York. The top seed has reached the quarterfinals without dropping a set, defeating Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round after earlier victories over Polina Iatcenko, Olga Selekhmeteva and Kamilla Rakhimova. Her progression is detailed in the official women’s draw.
Sabalenka was not flawless against Townsend, but she handled the American’s variety and home-crowd support with increasing authority. She protected her serve, managed the important points and refused to allow a potentially awkward matchup to develop into a prolonged fight. USOpen.org described it as a gritty victory that kept her three-peat bid alive.
Noskova took a more difficult path through the fourth round.
The No. 6 seed defeated Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 in a physical contest that demanded both power and composure. After winning her first major title at Wimbledon earlier in the summer, Noskova is no longer approaching these matches as an outsider. She now expects to compete with the best players in the world on the sport’s biggest stages. The US Open’s match report confirms Noskova’s three-set victory over Kostyuk.
First-Strike Tennis Will Decide the Quarterfinal
Neither player wants to defend for long.
Sabalenka will attempt to take control with her serve and first forehand, preventing Noskova from establishing her feet near the baseline. When Sabalenka is landing a high percentage of first serves, she can move through service games before an opponent has any opportunity to build scoreboard pressure.
Noskova must be willing to attack the second serve. Standing too far behind the baseline would give Sabalenka time to dictate, so the Czech needs to step forward and redirect the ball before the defending champion can recover her court position.
The Noskova backhand could be her most effective weapon. It is compact, difficult to rush and capable of producing clean winners down the line. That shot may help her escape the cross-court patterns Sabalenka uses to create space for her forehand.
The greater question is whether Noskova can sustain her aggression without allowing the unforced-error count to climb. Sabalenka has become a more controlled competitor during her championship years in New York. She no longer needs to chase a winner from every difficult position and is increasingly comfortable winning ugly when necessary.
Sabalenka vs. Noskova Prediction
Noskova is a major champion with the power to match Sabalenka from the baseline. She is capable of winning this quarterfinal and should have moments when she controls the exchanges.
Sabalenka remains the more reliable hard-court player, however, and her serve should give her a slight advantage in the tightest games. Noskova may force a deciding set, but the defending champion’s experience and emotional discipline make her the narrow favourite.
Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in three sets.
What to Expect on Day 10 at the 2026 US Open
Tuesday’s quarterfinals offer three very different versions of high-stakes tennis.
Alcaraz and Shelton will bring athleticism, power and shot-making to one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches. Tiafoe and Michelsen will play for a place in an all-important first Grand Slam semifinal of the season—and for Michelsen, the first of his career. Sabalenka and Noskova will provide a rare quarterfinal between the reigning champions of two consecutive majors.
By the end of Day 10, the championship picture in New York will be considerably clearer. Getting there should produce one of the most entertaining sessions of the 2026 US Open.
