Ben Shelton hits out at US Open organisers as all American duel with Frances Tiafoe not picked for Night Session slot

Despite losing anyway so it is pretty academic, Ben Shelton looked at his tie with Frances Tiafoe as a missed opportunity on a multitude of different flanks including its placing on the schedule.

Shelton faced Tiafoe in a highly anticipated clash between two of America's home hopes who faced off previously in a match made famous for the Shelton celly celebration.

Later mimicked by Novak Djokovic, Tiafoe this time put the phone down on his compatriot by sealing the win. But not getting the prime billing annoyed Shelton.

"It didn't feel like a third-round match. Felt like one of those that you play late in the two weeks. Should have been a night match, but it is what it is (smiling)," he said in a dig towards the tournament organisers.

"But yeah, a great atmosphere. It was just one of those back-and-forth, back-and-forth, and I wasn't able to capitalize on the chances I had in the end, and when he had them today, he really came through in the big moments."

"I know that me and Foe both definitely wanted this to be a night match," he stated. "You know, we talked about it in the locker room, either last night or this morning, I forget.

"It was, like, yeah, even if it was on Louis, we would have rather been on that night slot. We played here at night one year ago. It feels right."

"You know, Friday night, Ben versus Foe. I'm sure that he's going to get a night match here in his next match probably. But yeah, it was still an unbelievable atmosphere, but I think playing at night is a little bit different and special at the US Open, for sure."

"I'm probably just a little butt-hurt because I didn't get to bring out my night-session kit," he joked. 'This is something that me and Foe spoke on continuously, and after the match last year, and obviously it's always a little bit tougher to speak on the positives as the guy who loses, but I think big moments for our sport, for sure. Kind of just shows how far we've come.

"Yeah, I think it's only going to continue to improve. I think that Foe is the best at reaching the casual sports fan in our sport, especially here in America.

"I'm sure there was more celebrities who I don't know in the crowd than I can imagine to come watch Big Foe, and me as well, but I think that's something that he's kind of helped change the culture in our sport and in the last few years, and one of those things that I can look to try to do, as well."