American young gun Ben Shelton has battled past Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 to become the first man through to the US Open quarter-finals, as action heated up at the season's final Grand Slam, with temperatures nudging towards 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius).
With five Americans playing in eight matches on the two steamy showcourts, the home fans had plenty to cheer, as the US men continued their push to end a 20-year title drought.
An all-American clash kicked off the action on Arthur Ashe, with 14th seed Paul taking on Shelton, 20, in a rematch of their Australian Open quarter-final. Down two sets, and 4-1 in third and staring at the exit, Paul fought back to prevent a rout, but Shelton would not be denied, avenging his four set loss in Australia.
Paul was out smartly to a 3-0 lead, but it was all downhill from there, as the big-hitting Shelton blasted away, hammering down two 149mph (239kph) serves - the fastest seen at Flushing Meadows this fortnight.
Playing with swagger and energy, Shelton swept through six of the next seven games to snatch the first set and then dialled up the pressure with two late breaks in the second to go in front 2-0.
Shelton put his opponent in a hole at 4-1 in the third, but Paul continued to battle, loudly urged on by young superfan Eddy from Brooklyn, who has been in his corner all week, including his comeback from a two-set deficit in the second round.
Paul would use two late breaks to win the third, but there would be no way back against Shelton, who held steady, breaking his compatriot to take the fourth set 6-4 and seal the win.
Reuters
