US Open quarter-finals
Ben Shelton beats Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 (10-7) in latest-ever finish at US Open
Eighth seed Shelton secures victory - his first over Alcaraz - at just beyond 03:30am local time
Match did not start until after 11pm local time
Seven-time major winner Alcaraz in first tournament since long-term absence with wrist injury
Alcaraz will face Frances Tiafoe, who came from two sets down to beat fellow American Alex Michelsen
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (7-10) Shelton
Shelton's reward for his first victory over a player ranked in the top 3?
A semi-final date against compatriot Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe beat Alex Michelsen in a thrilling quater-final in what feels like a lifetime ago now, with the eleventh seed coming from two sets down to win 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (10-6).
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (7-10) Shelton
Four hours and 28 minutes.
That's how long that match lasted.
Now add in the fact that it's just gone 3.30am local time in New York.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-7 (7-10) Shelton
Good luck trying to wipe that smile off of Shelton's face.
He's beaming with pride, smiling at those that remain in the Arthur Ashe stadium.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-7 (7-10) Shelton
He's done it!
And in what style. Shelton produces a stunning ace at 146mph to seal the win.
The biggest victory of the American's career?
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (7-9) Shelton
Shelton is serving for the match.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (7-8) Shelton
Deary me, talk about soft hands.
Alcaraz deftly clips a volley over the net and though Shelton makes the return, he has an easy volley to win the point.
Nevertheless, Shelton's back on serve and two away.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (6-8) Shelton
Ooooh, that could be big.
Alcaraz goes wide and Shelton is two points away from victory.
*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (6-7) Shelton
A ferocious 146mph serve helps Shelton take the lead.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (6-6) Shelton*
We're all level at the switch of ends.
Talk about getting your money's worth.
*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (5-5) Shelton
Oh that's loose from Alcaraz.
Shelton levels as the Spaniard goes big - and wide - with a forehand.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (5-4) Shelton
Shelton hits a body-shot serve to move within a point of his opponent but Alcaraz is back on serve.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (5-3) Shelton*
Alcaraz has a mini-break.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (3-4) Shelton*
Alcaraz wins both points on his serve to take the lead for the first time in this tie-break.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (2-3) Shelton*
Shelton wins one of the two points on his serve.
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 (1-2) Shelton
Shelton gets a mini-break in this tie-break as Alcaraz hits a sloppy forehand into the net.
The American's on serve.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 6-6 Shelton*
Alcaraz gets the all-important hold but there were a couple of extremely tired-looking shots from the Spaniard in there.
He produces a stunning forehand to go 40-15, before a sloppy double fault.
But Shelton hits a poor shot of his own to gift Alcaraz a way out and we're heading for a tie-break to decide this one.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 5-6 Shelton
Shelton races into a 40-0 lead but a tired backhand goes long to put Alcaraz on the board.
Alcaraz then responds with a loose return of his own to give the American the hold and he has another chance to book a place in the semi-finals now.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 5-5 Shelton*
Alcaraz puffs his cheeks out and gives a look up to his box.
He's just served to stay in the tournament but Shelton will be disappointed that he wasn't able to put more pressure on the Spaniard.
Image source, Getty Images*Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 4-5 Shelton
Has the pendulum swung again?
Shelton holds at breakneck speed and he's a break away from knocking out the defending champion in New York City.
What are you made of, Carlos?
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 3-6 6-1 4-4 Shelton*
This is astonishing.
Alcaraz mustered something from deep there, and he lets out an almighty sigh of relief as he levels up again.
The match has just ticked into a fifth hour.
Image source, Getty Images
