"That's what kept me going, and that's what got me this win tonight" - Ben Shelton reacts to historic win over Alcaraz after 3:33am finish

An American male tennis player has not won a Grand Slam title since 2003 when Andy Roddick won US Open. 23 years later, Ben Shelton is very much in contention of breaking this drought following one of the biggest wins of his career against Carlos Alcaraz. It went the distance, but Shelton was able to come out on top 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7).

After consecutive third round exits in this tournament, Shelton came into it determined to change his fortunes. His Canadian Open title defence was a welcome result with his form at Grand Slam and Masters 1000 level being woeful aside from that.

To showcase that, this US Open quarter-final was only the third reached in either of these categories. Nevertheless, his game has clicked as soon as he reached Flushing Meadows as he took down the seven-time Grand Slam champion in remarkable fashion.

As big names fell around them, these two managed to stay strong and continue their title ambitions. Alcaraz seized the initiative early on as the first set set the bar very high. However, Shelton soon turned the match around and led 2-1 on home soil.

A brutal response by Alcaraz saw him send a statement towards his opponent as the match went the distance under the lights on Arthur Ashe. 12 holds of serve was inevitably followed by a super tiebreak which could have not been tighter. That was until Shelton marched away at the end, dropping just one point from a 6-5 deficit to secure a second semi-final in this tournament.

With the match having ended at 3:33 in the morning, the on-court interview was never going to drag on. Despite this, there were still a number of passionate tennis fans who opted to stay and watch the whole contest with their player advancing right at the end.

These people were referred to by the 23-year-old who had a big smile on his face following his triumphant victory. "You know, for me, it's always about the people in the crowd," he began.

"Whether it's my coaches and my team over there, all my family and friends over here, or the city of New York that showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end. That's what kept me going, and that's what got me this win tonight."

A record had been set in the process. This was by far the latest a match has ended at the US Open. Many of them passionately cheered on Shelton throughout the match and were in the end delighted to see him prevail in the end.

Shelton had some words to say about New York, and specifically Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I mean, it's incredible. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world. I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world."

He then pointed over to his box and pleaded for a few certain people to get a day off after a night's work of watching tennis. "I'm just hoping that my best friend and my sister over there don't have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours. It'd be huge from their employers to let them have the day off today," he said.

"But no, I'm just so grateful, so blessed. God's blessed me in so many ways. To be here in front of you guys tonight is an absolute honour. Sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour, and I cherish every moment that I have out here."

There will be an American in the final of the US Open for the first time since 2024 when Taylor Fritz lost to Jannik Sinner. It could be Shelton, but that is if he finds a way past Frances Tiafoe in the semi-final. 'Bog Foe' also played five sets, but he found himself two sets down before completing a tremendous comeback against Alex Michelsen.