Alcaraz loses US Open 2026 title, sets rematch with Shelton at Laver Cup; Verstappen targets WEC; Jake Paul wants 'Venom' Page

Carlos Alcaraz is no longer the US Open champion. But his smile after losing the quarterfinal to Ben Shelton said more than any trophy. The match at Arthur Ashe Stadium ended at 3:33 a.m. New York time, becoming the latest-finishing match in US Open history. For fans, it was an unforgettable sleepless night. For the players, it was a brutal test of stamina and psychology. Shelton beat Alcaraz in five sets, but the lasting memory was not only in the scoreline. Shelton delivered the best Grand Slam match of his career. The American used his powerful serve to put pressure from the start and controlled the tempo of Alcaraz's returns. He hit deep, came to the net at the right moments, and made Alcaraz run more than at any previous point. Still, Carlitos showed the heart of a champion. I have followed many matches at the US Open over the years, but rarely have I seen a player make Alcaraz look as off-balance as Shelton did. The gap wasn't big enough to require five sets, but Shelton turned every point into a physical battle. He refused to give Alcaraz any breathing room. Every game began with a heavy serve, making breaks extremely costly. The tactical story was in first-serve points won. Shelton held too comfortably, while Alcaraz had to wait for the smallest mistake. As the match drifted into the early hours, Alcaraz's footwork slowed. From the stands, his movement was less sharp than in the first set. For a player famous for chasing down every ball, that was almost a sentence. Every tactical pattern is an orderly lie — I look for the truth behind it. The truth was that Alcaraz's serve was not good enough against an aggressive returner. Shelton did not need complexity; he only needed sustained pressure. The latest finish in US Open history may have been his greatest weapon. Alcaraz left with a smile. Some saw a mask hiding regret, but I think it came from accepting his limits in a strange environment. The 22-year-old confirmed his next tournament is Laver Cup 2026, where he will face Shelton again in September. Laver Cup 2026 will be held at The O2 Arena in London from September 25 to 27. Team Europe includes Alcaraz, Rafael Jodar, Alexander Zverev, Jakub Mensik, Casper Ruud and Flavio Cobolli. Team World includes Alex De Minaur, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien, Alexander Bublik and Tommy Paul. For tennis fans, their rematch is unmissable. The Laver Cup is a team event, but Alcaraz against Shelton could decide momentum. The indoor court at The O2 Arena is faster than the outdoor hard court in New York, which could favour Shelton. Yet Alcaraz is strong indoors, and revenge may sharpen his focus. After the 3:33 a.m. finish, Greg Rusedski, the former British No. 1, called for change. On his podcast Off Court With Greg Rusedski, he said there must be a solution. He suggested scheduling the quarter-finals on Louis Armstrong and Arthur Ashe at 7 or 7:30 p.m., alternating men's and women's matches, to avoid extremely late finishes. In other sports this week, Jake Paul and his company MVP hope to sign Michael “Venom” Page after UFC decided not to renew his contract. MVP recently merged with PFL, the world's No. 2 MMA organization. Page won his fourth straight UFC fight against Nursulton Ruziboev in Paris by unanimous decision, although fans booed his low-volume performance. Max Verstappen has revealed his dream after F1: endurance racing, including Hypercars in WEC. He told the BBC he is not rushing and wants to race on his own terms in a competitive environment. He already competed at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 2026 after testing at the Nordschleife. Back to Alcaraz, the rematch at Laver Cup is not a prediction but a hypothesis. The US Open delivered an image we will not forget: Alcaraz leaving court under the lights, waving and smiling. That felt like a promise rather than a goodbye. The O2 Arena will tell us soon. Sports history does not repeat itself, but emotions always rhyme. Alcaraz lost one match, but he has not lost the game. For those who believe in comebacks, The O2 Arena in London is where the story really begins.