Young American Ben Shelton pulled off an upset to beat world No. 10 Frances Tiafoe in four sets in the US Open quarterfinals in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Shelton, 20, defeated last year’s runner-up 6-2 3-6 7-6(7) 6-2 to set up a semifinal meeting with Novak Djokovic on Friday.
In doing so he became the youngest American male to reach a US Open semifinal since a 20-year-old Michael Chang made it in 1992.
“I feel like I left it all out here tonight. Emotional battle,” Shelton said after the match.
“Thanks to all you guys for staying so late. Hell of an atmosphere, and thanks for pushing me over the line.”
Shelton was then asked if he knew who he would face next.
“Yeah, he’s won 23 of these or something like that,” Shelton said about Djokovic.
“It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s been tough the last two matches. I’ve been playing Americans, but hopefully you guys bring it for me two nights from now.”
Shelton began the match with all guns blazing, an explosive forehand giving him five straight games to win the opening set.
But Tiafoe held his nerve to take the second before a manic third set that went one day then other, saw Shelton finally prevailed.
The fourth thought was Shelton’s by a long way as he held serve at 5-2 to take the match.
Jack Draper fell to his knees on the hardcourt after completing a 6-2, 6-2 demolition…
Holger Rune made a return to the conversation on Saturday as the Dane secured a…
Mirra Andreeva stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday, winning her second…
Jack Draper will crack the ATP top 10 for the first time after the Brit defeated two-time…
Iga Swiatek switched to warp speed after rain delayed her fourth-round match by an hour,…
Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz ran his hot streak at the Indian Wells Masters to 14…