Ben Shelton beat Carlos Alcaraz at 3.34am in the latest finish the US Open has ever had

US Open sees latest finish in early hours of the following day

The crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium stayed put as a modern classic played out over four hours and 28 minutes, reports BBC Sport.

The night session was pushed back by Tuesday's earlier matches, which did not begin until around 11pm.

The showdown ended with the eighth winning 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 (10-7).

Why this is the biggest win of Ben Shelton's career

Shelton said that the match was "a war, an epic match, so physical."

the 23 year old had kind words towards his opponents: "Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old... the most enjoyable match that I've had in my career, for sure."

Shelton is not even being modest, he had never beaten a top-three player in 17 attempts, losing all three previous meetings with Alcaraz on top of that.

He was also less than a year old when Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003, which is how long it has been since an American man won in New York.

An American finalist is now guaranteed: Shelton meets Frances Tiafoe, through a remarkable comeback of his own against fellow American Michelsen, on Friday.

Alcaraz ran out of road

Alcaraz, the world number three, was playing his first tournament since a wrist injury kept him out for more than four months.

The exit also comes weeks after a quarter-finals exit in the competition's mix doubles, alongside Serena Williams.

However, Alcaraz had already exceeded expectations by sweeping past 20th seed Tommy Paul in spite of his injury.

The seven-time major winner still forced a deciding set, but the missing match fitness was the true story teller in this epic match.