Osaka Wins 6-3, 3-6, 7-5; Alcaraz & Shelton Tested

The blue courts of Flushing Meadows strip away all illusions. Naomi Osaka proved her resilience by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to advance into the second week of the tournament. It was a test of sheer emotional and physical endurance, where every break point felt like a physical toll on the baseline.

The Physical Toll of the Early Rounds

While Osaka fought through her three-set battle, the men's draw has become an arena of extreme physical stress. According to official stats on the US Open website, Carlos Alcaraz spent 7 hours and 22 minutes on court across 10 sets and 89 games during his opening matches. The Spaniard’s trademark court coverage was tested, but his efficiency in crucial moments kept him from being dragged deeper into the physical mire.

In contrast, Ben Shelton has lived on the absolute edge. The American spent 9 hours and 21 minutes on court, enduring 12 sets, 122 games, and four grueling tiebreaks. That is the ultimate test of a player’s central nervous system. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev’s opening rounds demanded nearly 10 hours of court time across 10 sets and three tiebreaks, echoing the marathon matches we saw in our previous analysis of five-set thrillers.

Rivalry Matchup & Player Profiles

According to the official ATP rankings, Alcaraz and Shelton represent the vanguard of the next generation. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record 3-0, with their most recent encounter occurring at the 2025 French Open, where the Spaniard secured a hard-fought 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory. That match showcased the contrast between Alcaraz’s lateral movement and Shelton's raw athletic power.

When these two meet, it is an open book. Shelton relies on his massive left-handed serve to dictate play, while Alcaraz counters with elite defensive transition and tactical variety. As the tournament progresses, the physical toll of these opening rounds will inevitably dictate who has the stamina to survive the mental grind of the second week.