Story byPhoto by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesCameron GreenleesSat, January 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM UTC·2 min readCarlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominated the Grand Slam scene in 2025 and look set to do the same in 2026. Alcaraz and Sinner split all four major titles between them for the second season in a row last year, and faced each other in the final of three of the tournaments. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Spaniard claimed his second crown at both Roland Garros and the US Open, while his Italian rival went back-to-back at the Australian Open and secured a maiden Wimbledon championship. Several stars are looking to close the gap on the new two this year, but former American player John Isner thinks there is one more likely than anyone else to beat them at a Grand Slam. Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty ImagesJohn Isner predicts Ben Shelton to beat one of the ‘new two’ in 2026When asked on the Nothing Major podcast who he thinks could rival Sinner and Alcaraz in 2026, Isner said: “It’s no one, but I’ll say someone who is most likely to beat them at a Grand Slam. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“The answer is no one. You have got to imagine they are going to finish one and two if healthy.“I think Ben Shelton, if he can get himself in position, can beat one of those guys at a Grand Slam.“He’s not going to rival them, but I think he could take one of them out in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam with his firepower.”Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty ImagesBen Shelton’s record against Jannik Sinner and Carlos AlcarazBen Shelton has played both Sinner and Alcaraz multiple times during his career on the ATP Tour, but has not had much joy against either of them. The American has never managed to beat Alcaraz, with the head-to-head between them currently 3-0 in favour of the world number one. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTheir most recent clash came at Roland Garros last season, where Shelton was able to take a set off Alcaraz, but could not get over the line. Shelton has one win over Sinner, which he picked up in the round of 16 at the 2023 Shanghai Masters. Since then, however, the four-time major champion has dominated him by winning eight straight matches.