Tiafoe beats Shelton in all-American five-set epic at US Open

Frances Tiafoe weathered a Ben Shelton storm in a captivating all-American blockbuster to win 4-6 7-5 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 and move into the last-16 of the US Open on Friday.

Order of Play | Win with World Sports Betting | Watch Live on DStv

Both players have had semifinal runs at Flushing Meadows in the past and it was the electric Tiafoe who prevailed in a four-hour battle in what was a repeat of last year's quarterfinal match-up, where the younger Shelton had won in four sets.

The two players are good pals off the court but set their friendship aside and after Shelton promised a 'war', the clash lived up to its billing, bringing the crowd to its feet on several points and rallies as the match went the distance.

Shelton, who held a 2-0 head-to-head record going into the contest, fired 23 aces and 63 winners but ultimately Tiafoe exacted revenge and earned a fourth-round clash with either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Alexei Popyrin.