Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz served up an epic duel in the quarter-finals of the US Open.
It was home favourite Shelton who eventually prevailed in a five-set thriller at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 in a match that lasted more than four-and-a-half hours and kept American viewers awake until gone 03:30.
Officially reaching its conclusion at 03:33 local time, it has become the latest finishing match in the competition's history.
The 22-year-old has set up an all-American semi-final clash with Francis Tiafoe and can now be backed at 13/8 to win the tournament outright.
World number three Alcaraz took the opening set -- one that lasted more than an hour -- but Shelton responded by winning two sets of his own, both dominant 6-1 & 6-3 victories.
But Alcaraz wasn't done, wrapping up a fourth set success in just 37 minutes. A tie break was needed in an epic fifth set that spanned almost 75 minutes, ending with Shelton landing a huge ace to bring the match to a dramatic end.
Shelton will meet Tiafoe on Friday 11th September, with America now guaranteed a home finalist. You have to go all the way back to 2003 to find the last home winner of the US Open when Andy Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Ben Shelton v Carlos Alcaraz match stats
Ben Shelton | 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 | Carlos Alcaraz |
7 | Aces | 3 |
2 | Double Faults | 7 |
67% | 1st serve percentage | 64% |
8/11 | Break Points Saved | 11/16 |
34 | Winners | 38 |
35 | Unforced errors | 53 |
65% | Service Points Won | 62% |
51% | Total Points Won | 49% |
