Ben Shelton beats Carlos Alcaraz in latest ever U.S. Open finish

There’s leaving it late, and then there’s what Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz just served up at the U.S.

There’s leaving it late, and then there’s what Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz just served up at the U.S. Open.

The 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.

The five-set victory takes Shelton to the semifinals, where he will face fellow American Frances Tiafoe.

That 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.

Shelton, the No. 8 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.