By Shrivathsa Sridhar for Reuters in New York.
Ben Shelton beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(10-7) in the early hours of Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the U.S. Open in the latest-finishing match in tournament history.
Shelton’s win sets up a match in the last four with compatriot Frances Tiafoe, boosting home hopes of a first American men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003.
Seven-times major champion Alcaraz arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 13-0 Grand Slam record against U.S. men but found Shelton tough to break down in a match that began at 11.05 p.m. on Tuesday and finished at 3.33 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Spaniard clinched a tight first-set tiebreak and looked to have all the momentum but some uncharacteristic sloppiness allowed to breeze through the next set before the American tightened his grip on the quarter-final by taking the third.
Alcaraz, making his comeback in New York after nearly five months out with a wrist issue, looked flat and made far too many unforced errors on his forehand but still managed to force a deciding set amid roars from the delighted fans.
Alcaraz vomited into a towel during the break but went toe-to-toe with Shelton for 12 games before his opponent closed out the shock win after four hours and 28 minutes.