US Open 2026: No Alcaraz, No Sinner — Who Will Win After Semi-Final Line-Up Emerges?
The 2026 US Open has entered its decisive stage with both the men’s and women’s singles semi-final line-ups confirmed, but Alcaraz and Sinner, two of the biggest names in the sport will be missing from the final four.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has been eliminated after American eighth seed Ben Shelton produced the biggest upset of the tournament, while pre tournament injury knocked out Jannik Sinner before the serve off, leaving the men’s title race wide open.
Shelton defeated Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7) in a four-hour thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium, sealing victory in the final-set match tiebreak.
The American will now face fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe for a place in the final.
In the other semi-final, top seed Alexander Zverev will take on Karen Khachanov after both players progressed from their respective quarter-finals.
With Alcaraz and Sinner absent from the last four, Zverev, Shelton, Khachanov and Tiafoe now have a major opportunity to claim the final Grand Slam title of the 2026 season.
Women’s semi-final line-up confirmed
The women’s draw has produced a blockbuster last four, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka facing Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff meeting second seed Elena Rybakina.
Gauff fought back from a set down to defeat Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, saving two match points in a dramatic quarter-final.
Rybakina also recovered from losing the opening set to defeat China’s Qinwen Zheng 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
The victory will see Rybakina become the new WTA world number one.
The women’s semi-finals take place on Thursday, while the men’s last-four clashes are scheduled for Friday.
Who will win the 2026 US Open?
With Alcaraz and Sinner out, the men’s competition is arguably the most open it has been in years.
Zverev enters the semi-finals as the highest-ranked player remaining, but Shelton will have home support and enormous confidence after his stunning victory over Alcaraz.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, will be hoping to use his previous US Open experience to reach another major final, while Khachanov brings considerable Grand Slam experience to the other side of the draw.
The women’s competition is equally intriguing, with Sabalenka, Pegula, Gauff and Rybakina forming a historic semi-final line-up.
For the first time since 1975, the world’s top four women have all reached the US Open semi-finals.
The big question now is simple: with Alcaraz and Sinner gone, who will lift the 2026 US Open men’s trophy?
