The US Open quarterfinals are underway, and tonight's headlining men's match will see defending champion Carlos Alcaraz square off against Ben Shelton. We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz, including free and global streaming options.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz will continue his title defense at the 2026 US Open, which marks his first tournament back following a four-and-a-half-month injury break. Alcaraz has so far breezed through the tournament, only dropping one set in the second round, but American Ben Shelton could prove to be a tough opponent tonight. Shelton, who won the Canadian Open last month, was eliminated in the third round of last year's US Open, but it's safe to say he's looking to go all the way at this year's tournament.
*This is just an approximate start time. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the venue for the match, will also host Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro's evening match at 7 p.m. ET.
How to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz for free
There are a few ways to catch the Shelton vs. Alcaraz match for free. In Australia, select daily coverage is available for free on 9Now and requires only an account to use. In the US, live TV services like YouTube TV and Fubo offer free trials to new customers.
How to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz from anywhere
If you're away from the location where your preferred streaming service is available, you can still access your favorite content (including free options) with a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that help people temporarily alter their device's virtual location. They're popular among those looking to upgrade their cybersecurity or keep up with their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad.
Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs we've tested. It's user-friendly (even for beginners) and offers a substantial selection of global servers. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find it's not helping you.
- See also: Where to buy US Open tickets | Where to watch FIBA Women's World Cup | Best sports streaming services
How to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz in the US
ESPN is carrying US Open coverage in the US until 11 p.m. ET tonight, so you should be able to find the Shelton vs. Alcaraz match on the network, even if it has a bit of a late start. ESPN Unlimited is the best streaming service for accessing every single match at the US Open. Subscriptions cost $32 a month or $320 a year. You can learn more in our guide to the ESPN streaming service.
If you'd prefer to watch on a platform with a free trial and additional channels beyond the ESPN family, a live TV streaming service will be a better fit. YouTube TV and Fubo are two of our top recommendations right now.
YouTube TV carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC in both its main and sports plans. The main plan typically costs $83 a month, but a limited-time YouTube TV deal will knock the first five months down to just $68 a month for first-time customers. The sports plan is also running a special promo where new users can get their first six months down from $65 a month to $45 a month. YouTube TV plans come with a free trial for new users, and ESPN Unlimited is now available on the platform as well.
Fubo is another popular live TV service with plenty of ESPN offerings. ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC are available in Fubo's Sports + News, Pro, and Elite packages. All of these plans also unlock access to ESPN Unlimited. Sports + News starts at $65 a month, but new users can get $10 off their first month of service. Pro and Elite also offer introductory month discounts, and all plans come with a free trial for first-time customers.
How to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz in the UK
In the UK, US Open coverage is available through Sky Sports. Fans can tune in with one of the many Sky TV deals and plans, or access the same content through Now. Now Sports offers more flexibility in streaming content, including a £15 single-day pass.
How to watch Shelton vs. Alcaraz in Australia
Select US Open coverage, including tonight's Shelton vs. Alcaraz match, is available for free through 9's Gem channel in Australia. Fans can live stream the action on 9Now by creating a free account if they don't already have one. Australians looking to live stream absolutely every match at the US Open will need a paid Stan Sport subscription. Stan Sport costs $30 a month when you combine the $10 a month base plan fee with the $20 a month Sport add-on.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
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