US Open: Ben Shelton arranges Novak Djokovic clash

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The 20-year-old Ben Shelton is through to his first Major semi-final at the US Open! The Atlanta native took down Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in three hours and seven minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, setting the semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic.

Shelton became the youngest US Open semi-finalist from the USA since Michael Chang in 1992. Also, he will crack the top-20 with these points, becoming the youngest American in the elite group since Andy Roddick in 2001. Ranked 47th, Ben is the fifth unseeded US Open semi-finalist since 2000, trying to become the first unseeded finalist since Mark Philippoussis in 1998.

Shelton landed 14 aces, annulling them with 11 double faults. Still, he played better than Tiafoe behind the first serve, earning the victory in that segment. The last year's semi-finalist had a rough day at the office, dropping 43% of the points in his games and suffering seven breaks from 15 chances offered to his younger opponent.

Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets in New York.

Shelton lost serve four times from six opportunities given to Tiafoe, dominating two sets and emerging at the top. Ben landed 50 winners and 34 unforced errors.

Frances stayed on a 33-33 ratio, not enough for more than a set. Frances denied a break point in the encounter's first game before experiencing more issues at 2-2. Tiafoe placed a routine forehand long to drop serve and fall behind.

Shelton forced the rival's mistake in the seventh game, securing another break and closing the opening set with booming serves in the next one. Tiafoe played better in the second set, saving a break point in the early stage and stealing Shelton's serve in game six with a forehand down the line winner.

The older American erased two break points in the seventh game and closed the set with an ace at 5-3. The servers lost their focus in the third set, with six breaks in the opening eight games! Shelton led 3-1 before dropping serve two times in a row, finding himself 4-3 down.

The young gun pulled the break back in game eight, and they served well in the following ones to introduce a tie break. Ben placed a return winner at 5-4, creating two set points. Frances saved them but faced the third after netting a forehand at 7-7.

Ben seized it and built two sets to one advantage after two hours and 29 minutes. Shelton produced four fine holds in the fourth set and delivered two breaks to march over the top. A left-hander cracked a backhand down the line winner for a break in the opening game and held at love five games later for 4-2. Shelton broke again in game seven and emerged at the top with a forehand winner in the next one.