Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominated the Grand Slam scene in 2025 and are expected to do the same in 2026.
Alcaraz and Sinner shared the four major titles for the second consecutive season last year and faced each other in the final of three of the tournaments.
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The Spaniard won his second crown at Roland Garros and the US Open, while his Italian rival won back-to-back Australian Opens and won his first championship at Wimbledon.
Several stars are looking to close the gap on the two newbies this year, but former US player John Isner believes there is one more likely than anyone to beat them at a Grand Slam.
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John Isner predicts Ben Shelton will beat one of the ‘new two’ in 2026
When asked about the Nothing major podcast that he believes could rival Sinner and Alcaraz in 2026, Isner said: “It’s no one, but I will say someone who is most likely to beat them at a Grand Slam.
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“The answer is no one. You have to imagine they’ll finish one and two if they’re healthy.
“I think Ben Shelton, if he can get himself in position, can beat one of these guys at a Grand Slam.
“He’s not going to compete with them, but I think he could knock one out in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam with his firepower.”
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Ben Shelton’s record against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Ben Shelton has faced Sinner and Alcaraz several times during his career on the ATP Tour, but hasn’t had much joy against any of them.
The American has never managed to beat Alcaraz, with the head-to-head between them currently 3-0 in favor of the world number one.
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Their most recent clash took place at Roland Garros last season, where Shelton managed to take a set against Alcaraz, but was unable to cross the finish line.
Shelton has a victory against Sinner, which he won in the round of 16 of the Shanghai Masters 2023.
Since then, however, the four-time major champion has dominated it by winning eight straight matches.
