There’s leaving it late, and then there’s what Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz just served up at the U.S. Open.
\n\nThe American star ultimately outdueled the defending champion in the latest ever finish at the tournament, a thriller that didn’t finish until 3:33 a.m. in front of a raucous New York crowd.
\n\nThe five-set victory takes Shelton to the semifinals, where he will face fellow American Francis Tiafoe.
\n\nThat means there is guaranteed to be an American in Sunday’s final, hoping to end a drought that has seen no U.S. men’s player win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in New York in 2003.
\n\nShelton, the 8th seed, ended Alcaraz’ 18-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments in a clash that lasted 4 hours, 28 minutes. At one point the Spaniard could be seen vomiting into a towel.
\n\nThe grueling quarterfinal was played under the lights after a day of marathon contests at Flushing Meadows.
\n\nThe highlight-filled match swung back and forth, with Shelton winning the second and third sets after losing the first on a tie break.
\n\nSecond seed Alcaraz, who missed most of the season with a wrist injury, won the fourth set 6-1 to set up a…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports