Ben Shelton blasts umpire during fiery US Open semi-final as pair disagree on contentious decision

It was not all smooth sailing for Ben Shelton against Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals of the US Open. The American No.1 managed to come out on top 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to break new ground at major level, but the match could have taken a different turn after a controversial call by the umpire left Shelton red in the face.

The incident in question came at a very pivotal point in the match. Shelton had just won the third set and clinched a 2-1 advantage. He was, however, instantly under the cosh by a determined Tiaofe who tried to get instantly back into the contest.

After recovering from a 15-40 deficit to force deuce, Shelton was again forced to save a third break point of the set. His serve went wide to the Tiafoe backhand, who met it with a lacklustre one-handed glance that sailed high and out.

It seemed that Tiafoe was getting ready for the return before halting for a split-second as Shelton went to serve. He went over to the umpire, Aurelie Tourte, with his arms by his side arguing that he was not ready. The French woman sided with him and demanded the point to be replayed.

Shelton was furious and a bit confused. He had just saved another break point, but would be forced to repeat that. It was his turn to question the umpire, and it was a stern telling-off directed towards Tourte as he firmly disagreed with her decision.

"He put the hands up and said, 'Sorry, sorry, sorry,' when you were about to serve,'" Tourte explained. The 23-year-old was not satisfied. "Why did you not say something then? How are you going to call that after and then not say 'oh yeah yeah yeah yeah.' You gotta say something immediately."

The pair continued to bicker for a few more seconds as Tourte tried to get her point across, but Shelton was having none of it, trudging back to the baseline ready to do it all over again.

The umpire was always going to be put on the spot in a situation like this, forced to quickly make a decision with both players ready to pounce and state their case if it does not go their way.

Tiafoe did briefly say 'sorry' as Shelton was serving, which led to that feeble return sailing out. That should have been deuce. However, Tourte also claimed that Tiafoe had his arms raised. It is very clearly obvious that he did not.

Tourte made her decision, and it was one that Shelton did not get on board with. Tourte had not made the call instantly, waiting for the ball to go out before then deciding that the point should be replayed. That was the main thing that irked a disgruntled Shelton who had to psych himself up once more with Tiaofe offered a lifeline.

Despite this debacle, Shelton managed to fend off this latest effort and got a well-earned hold on the board. There would be no more break points for Tiaofe in the match, and not until the 12th game in the set where a tiebreak seemed inevitable. Shelton made a dash for the finishing line, going 0-40 ahead before a second match point was swiftly converted to confirm a first ever Grand Slam final appearance. He lock horns with Alexander Zverev as he fights for the honours on home soil.