American tennis star Ben Shelton has been showing promise for a few years now, and the question was: does he belong with the big boys on the ATP tour?

He answered that last night at the U.S. Open after a gruelling 5-set battle with former World No 1. Carlos Alcaraz, who is returning to the game after a serious wrist injury.

Shelton was triumphant with a 6-7,6-1,6-3,1-6,7-6 win, which took four and a half hours and saw both men walking off the court at 3.33 am in the morning.

Ben Shelton, who is from Atlanta, Georgia, has improved his game this year, with his net game coming on leaps and bounds. His athleticism is a major attribute and has held him in good stead. 

Last night he was throwing down 130+ MPH serves regularly, which Alcaraz had difficulty coping with.

Alcaraz, who is 23, didn’t look like the wrist injury unsettled him. He has been playing very well in this tournament and will be a major force next year.

His groundstrokes last night were incredible, and he was unfortunate to go down to Shelton in the tie-break in the fifth set.

From the get-go, Shelton looked to impose his game on the Spaniard. Both his forehand and backhand were hit heavy and deep. He went for his shots. He wanted to make his impression felt, and he did just that.

Seeded No.8 this year at the U.S. Open, Shelton ended Alcaraz’s 18-match win run at Grand Slam tournaments.

This Flushing Meadows match will long be remembered.

Alcaraz seemed to be the stronger one after he pulled out the fourth set 6-1.

But Shelton didn’t give in and sent down some bombs in the fifth. He remained strong and dialled in. He was undaunted by dropping the fourth set so easily.

This was Shelton’s first win against Alcaraz, and he faces his compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semi-final on Friday.

“I mean, it’s incredible. I always say this is the greatest stadium in the world. For me it’s about the people in the crowd. Whether it’s my coaches, my team or my family and friends.

“On the city of New York showed up tonight until 3 a.m. with the U-S-A chants until the very end. That’s what kept me going and that’s what got me the win tonight.”

Alcaraz was defending his title at the U.S. Open after skipping both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Talking about this epic match, the World No.2 said: “ It was close. I’m just a bit disappointed by not getting the win at the end. I’m just happy; I’m proud of myself. In the fifth, I just started to feel better and better.

“But you know, I was playing against someone who is a beast. You know, Shelton is an unbelievable player, powerful. He just manages to play really, really well in every situation. So credit to him.”