"Making it to the second weekend of a Grand Slam is everyone's dream" - Tommy Paul on his historic achievement after reaching the Australian Open semifinal

American tennis player Tommy Paul is into the semi-finals of the Australian Open for the first time in his career with a 7-6(6) 6-3 5-7 6-4 victory over world No.89 Ben Shelton.

It spells the end of a remarkable run to the semi-finals for Shelton who only a year ago was ranked outside the top 500 and was playing for the University of Florida college team. The 20-year-old had never left USA before this year’s Grand Slam.

"This is my first time on this court and in the quarter-finals of a Slam," Paul said afterwards. "It's actually Shelton's first time leaving the States so I think he had a pretty good trip as well.

"Yesterday I was doing a couple of interviews and they were asking how I felt to be in the quarter-finals. I was like 'semi-finals sounds a little better' so I'm pumped to be there and obviously really excited for whoever I play on Friday.

"Making it to the second weekend of a Slam is everyone's dream when they start playing tennis so I can't believe I'm here right now."

Paul becomes the first American to reach the Australian Open semi-finals since Andy Roddick in 2009. He will play nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the last four on Friday.