Key events
That’s all for tonight. Thanks as always for following along and be sure to check back soon for a full match report.
“I’m feeling like I left it all out here tonight,” Shelton says in an on-court interview. “An emotional battle. Thanks to all you guys for staying so late. Hell of an atmosphere. And thanks for pushing me over the line.”
And about that topsy-turvy third set and what he did to save a set point in that tiebreaker?
“Sometimes you’ve got to shut off the brain and close your eyes and just swing,” he says. “Maybe it was a little bit of that down set point, but it ended up working out. Some may say clutch, but I don’t know about all that.”
Asked about Friday’s semi-final tie against Novak Djokovic, the 20-year-old brims with excitement.
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” he says. “It’s been tough the last two matches, I’ve been playing Americans. But hopefully you guys bring it for me two nights from now?”
Shelton wins 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2!
Fourth set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 2-6 Shelton
Tiafoe shows fight with his back against the wall, getting it to 30-all and then to deuce with a composed forehand volley winner. But from there Shelton gets to match point when Tiafoe frames a forehand from the baseline, then closes it out with a classy forehand winner!
The 2022 NCAA singles champion from University of Florida has reached the US Open semi-finals in only his fifth appearance at a grand slam, while becoming the youngest American man to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows since Michael Chang in 1992!
Shelton breaks in seventh game of fourth set!
Fourth set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 2-5 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Danger zone for Tiafoe, who makes two more unforced errors to fall behind 15-30 on his serve. And now Tiafoe overcooks a backhand volley on a net approach, sending it far past the baseline for double break point. And Shelton breaks immediately when Tiafoe sends a backhand into the net early in the rally. He will serve for a place in the semis after the changeover!
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 2-4 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton flies through another service game, holding at love to move within two games of the finish line. He’s won 12 of 13 points on his serve in this set.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 2-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Another easy hold for Tiafoe, who seals it with a 109mph second-serve ace to stay in contact.
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 1-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)
A confident hold at love for Shelton, including a 126mph ace and a vicious forehand winner on game point.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 1-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe wins four staccato points, including a 121mph ace, for a sorely needed love hold.
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 0-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton double-faults for 15-all, then races to the comfortable hold, crunching another 122mph ace down the middle along the way.
Shelton breaks in first game of fourth set!
Fourth set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-7, 0-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Shelton wastes no time taking the front foot in the fourth. Tiafoe quickly goes down 15-40 and double break point. He saves the first with a courageous backhand drop-shot winner, but Shelton converts on the second with a backhand winner of his own.
Shelton wins third set, 7-6 (7)!
Third-set tiebreaker: Tiafoe 7-9 Shelton
And Shelton closes the show with a backhand early in a baseline rally that Tiafoe can’t handle! After an impossibly topsy-turvy set, the 20-year-old is one set from the US Open semi-finals!
Third-set tiebreaker: Tiafoe 7-8 Shelton*
Shelton pounces on a Tiafoe second serve and rips a forehand return winner into the corner! On the next point Tiafoe misfires on a forehand and Shelton will have another set point!
Third-set tiebreaker: *Tiafoe 7-6 Shelton
And Shelton double-faults again! Tiafoe has a set point on his racket!
Third-set tiebreaker: Tiafoe 6-6 Shelton*
Tiafoe saves the first set point with a big serve … and then Shelton double-faults! Oh my! A second set point disappears and Shelton will serve after another changeover. Back on even footing in this crucial tiebreaker.
Third-set tiebreaker: *Tiafoe 4-6 Shelton
Shelton ropes a clean backhand winner from way behind off the baseline off a 120mph missile from Tiafoe. Set points for Shelton!
Third-set tiebreaker: *Tiafoe 4-5 Shelton
The drama ramps up as Tiafoe finally gets the minibreak back on the ninth point when Shelton sprays a backhand wide from the baseline.
Third-set tiebreaker: *Tiafoe 2-4 Shelton
Both guys protect their serve through the first five points of the breaker, with Shelton pounding a pair of aces in addition to a service winner. But a Tiafoe unforced error on the sixth point hands Shelton the minibreak headed into the change of ends.
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 6-6 Shelton
Tiafoe holds at love again, closing it with a 131mph service winner down the middle followed by a 128mph ace out wide. And we’re headed to a breaker!
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 5-6 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton holds at love, crunching his 10th ace of the match along the way to extend his tournament-high total to 72.
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 5-5 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe holds at love for only the second time all night and we’re inching ever so closer to a tiebreaker.
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 4-5 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton restores sanity on his serve. To some extent. He goes forehand winner, 116mph ace, 117mph ace, double fault, double fault, forehand winner. A hold is a hold. Tiafoe to serve to stay in the set after the changeover.
Shelton breaks in eighth game of third set!
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 4-4 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe opens with a 127mph ace down the middle, but Shelton follows with back-to-back overhand winners at the net for 15-30. Tiafoe gets it to 30-all with a muscular forehand, but Tiafoe follows with his 24th and 25th unforced errors. Another break! The sixth in eight games this set, three for each guy! Somehow, we’re back on serve in the third.
Tiafoe breaks in seventh game of third set!
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 4-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)
A hint of a chance for Tiafoe as Shelton goes down 15-30 on his serve. The unseeded American gets it to 30-all but Tiafoe rushes toward net early in the next point and hits a simple backhand volley winner for a break-point chance. And Tiafoe converts it with a forehand passing winner from the baseline! It’s the fifth break between both guys in seven service games and enough for Tiafoe to nose ahead in the third.
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 3-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe holds for the first time in the third set, helped along by a couple of unforced errors off of Shelton’s forehand.
Tiafoe breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 2-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Another scratchy service game for Shelton, who falls behind love-15 then 15-40 for double break point. He’s able to erase one of them, but misfires off the forehand at the end of a 10-shot rally to hand the break right back. They’re back on serve in the third.
Shelton breaks in fourth game of third set!
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 1-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe wins the opening point on his serve behind a 128mph missle, but follows with three straight unforced errors to go double break point down at 15-40. Uh-oh. And Shelton needs only one, ripping a backhand that Tiafoe can’t return for another break of serve. That’s 22 unforced errors against 17 winners for the No 10 seed.
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 1-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton holds comfortably, slotting his seventh ace of the night along the way: a 106mph number out wide. On serve in early in the third.
Shelton breaks in second game of third set!
Third set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 1-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Just when it seems as if the momentum might have shifted permanently, Shelton rattles off three quick points on Tiafoe’s serve for triple break point. Tiafoe saves the first with a well-placed second serve that Shelton can’t return, but Shelton rips a forehand passing winner on the ensuing point to break back immediately.
Tiafoe breaks in first game of third set!
Third set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton has disappeared into the tunnel for a bathroom break and a kit change. He’s allotted five minutes and an eager Tiafoe is lightly complaining to the chair umpire as the clock ticks down toward zero. Shelton looks a bit tight on his serve when he finally emerges to open the third, missing first serves while going behind love-15 then 15-30. He gets it to 40-30, but follows it with his 16th, 17th and 18th unforced errors of the match for the abrupt break! How tight? That game saw Shelton get only three of eight first serves in and those clocked in at 113mph, 102mph and 112mph.
Tiafoe wins second set, 6-3!
Second set: Tiafoe 2-6, 6-3 Shelton
And Tiafoe slams the door, capping the stress-free hold with a 120mph ace down the middle. All square after two sets with a best-of-three to decide who goes on to the semis.
Second set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 5-3 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton breezes to the easy hold, stumbling only momentarily with his fifth double fault of the match. Tiafoe will now step to the line to serve for the second set.
Second set: Tiafoe 2-6, 5-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
A couple more unforced errors from Tiafoe and he’s down 15-30 and in danger of giving the break right back. Shelton then curls a winner into the corner for 15-40 and double break point. Tiafoe erases the first with a backhand winner at the net, then the second when Shelton misfires on a forehand. Deuce. From there Tiafoe wins a pair of quick points to back up the break. He’s one game away from leveling this match at one set apiece.
Tiafoe breaks in sixth game of first set!
Second set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 4-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton double-faults, then misses an overhand to go down love-30 on his serve. The crowd swells between points in support of the Tiafoe, who’s yet to earn a break-point chance tonight. And after winning the next point for love-30, Tiafoe has three of them. Shelton saves the first with a note-perfect backhand volley winner, but Tiafoe paints the line with a forehand on the following point to nail down the break and seize early control of the second set!
Second set: Tiafoe 2-6, 3-2 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
More pressure on Tiafoe’s serve at 30-all thanks to his 14th and 15th unforced errors. But he wins two quick points behind strong first serves to escape with the hold. On serve in the second.
Second set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 2-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton, dialed in on his serve, holds at love for the first time all night, going forehand volley winner, 114mph ace out wide, 115mph unreturnable, 138mph service winner. He’s won 14 of the last 16 points on his racket.
Second set: Tiafoe 2-6, 2-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe is under pressure on his serve again, at love-15 then 30-all. That’s when Shelton slots a sharply angled volley at the net for another look at a break point. Huge moment here. And Tiafoe saves it with a gorgeous backhand passing winner on the ninth shot of a rally. His best shot of the night. From there Tiafoe hits another backhand winner and a 94mph second serve that Shelton can’t return into the court to escape with the hold.
Second set: *Tiafoe 2-6, 1-1 Shelton (*denotes next server)
A stress-free hold for Shelton, including a 124mph service winner to the body and a 129mph ace down the middle to cap it, and the youngster’s serve is really clicking now.
Second set: Tiafoe 2-6, 1-0 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
A good start to the second set for Tiafoe, who rattles off four quick points for his first love hold of the night.
Shelton wins first set, 6-2!
First set: Tiafoe 2-6 Shelton
Shelton strolls through the finish line of the opening set, punctuating the comfortable hold with a 110mph second-serve ace down the middle and a 127mph service winner out wide. Heck of a start for Shelton, who won 10 of 13 first-serve points and didn’t face a single break point.
Shelton breaks in seventh game of first set!
First set: *Tiafoe 2-5 Shelton (*denotes next server)
After trading points for 15-all, Tiafoe and Shelton go toe to toe over a 24-shot exchange, which Shelton takes with a brilliant backhand passing winner. Tiafoe wins the next point for 30-all, but then double-faults for the third time tonight to go break point down. And Shelton converts it with a stinging backhand early in a rally that Tiafoe can’t handle! Shelton is two breaks to the good in this opening set and will look to serve it out after the change of ends.
First set: *Tiafoe 2-4 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton double-faults, wins a couple of quick points, then double-faults again for 30-all. Pressure? What pressure? The unseeded American pounds consecutive aces of 107mph and 138mph, both down Broadway, to consolidate the break with style.
Shelton breaks in fifth game of first set!
First set: Tiafoe 2-3 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
Shelton is putting more pressure on the serve of Tiafoe, who goes down love-15, then 15-30, then 30-40 for his second break-point chance of the match. Tiafoe erases it with a 120mph serve that Shelton can’t handle. Deuce. Tiafoe then cracks a 134mph serve but misfires on a drop shot early in the rally to hand Shelton another look at a break. Tiafoe erases that one, too, with another booming serve, but another careless error off the forehand side gives Shelton another break-point chance – his third of this game and the fourth of the match. And this time he capitalizes as Tiafoe sprays a forehand for his 10th unforced error of the match. First blood to the 20-year-old, who erupts in jubilation in the direction of his box. He’s fired up!
First set: *Tiafoe 2-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton wins three quick points, including his first ace of the night, for 40-15. But he follows with an unforced error off the forehand, then watches Tiafoe hit a forehand volley winner for deuce. First pressure point of the night for the 20-year-old. And he responds in style: winning a 13-shot rally with a forehand winner, then crunching a 139mph serve out wide that Tiafoe can’t return into the court.
First set: Tiafoe 2-1 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
A far more straightforward service game for Tiafoe. Shelton seems to be having trouble reading his opponent’s serve early. Have we mentioned it’s uncomfortably hot on Ashe? Temperatures of 84F (23C) with 63% humidity.
First set: *Tiafoe 1-1 Shelton (*denotes next server)
Shelton strolls through his opening service game. No sign of nerves from the big-hitting southpaw.
First set: Tiafoe 1-0 Shelton* (*denotes next server)
An uncomfortable start for Tiafoe on his serve. Shelton hits a backhand volley winner (punctuating it with a “come on!”) on the first point of the match, then Tiafoe follows it with a double fault for love-30. Tiafoe serves his way out of trouble with three quick points behind a booming first serve, but then double-faults a second time for deuce. Tiafoe settles a 13-shot rally with a forehand winner, but Shelton follows with a nicely executed backhand volley winner for deuce number two. Tiafoe then makes a careless unforced error off the forehand and will face the first break point of the match, but he erases it with a 133mph ace out wide. Deuce once more. From there Tiafoe wins a cat-and-mouse point with a backhand volley winner before closing out the hold with a 131mph ace out wide. Nervy opening service game for the No 10 seed but the desired result.
Prelude
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s quarter-final clash between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton. It’s the first time in history that two Black American men have reached the last eight at a grand slam and one of them is guaranteed passage to the US Open semi-finals and a date with 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic (who saw off Taylor Fritz earlier today).
The 20-year-old Shelton, the 2022 NCAA singles champion from University of Florida, has been the surprise package of the tennis season, surely on the US front. Playing in his second major quarter-final of the year in only his fifth career main-draw appearance, Shelton has become the youngest American man to reach the US Open quarters since Andy Roddick in 2002 – and is looking to become the youngest to reach the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows since Michael Chang in 1992. Armed with an explosive serve, he’s pounded a tournament-high 62 aces in four matches so far, including a pair of 149mph missiles in a single game during Sunday’s fourth-round win over Tommy Paul that are the fastest offerings of the event.
Tiafoe, the 25-year-old Maryland native whose extraordinary backstory has been well-documented in tennis circles for years, has dropped only one set en route to his third career major quarter-final, winning 83% of his first-serve points and crunching 45 aces against just seven double faults. His headline-grabbing run to the semis of last year’s US Open remains his career-best performance at a major and he’s keen on going at least one step farther this time around.
Karolina Muchova has just won 6-0, 6-3 over Sorana Cirstea to reach the women’s semi-finals in the first match of tonight’s night session, which means Tiafoe and Shelton should be on the court for their warm-ups shortly.
Bryan will be here shortly. Here’s a look back at today’s first men’s quarter-final where Novak Djokovic saw off Taylor Fritz in three sets.
