Tommy Paul has continued his dream run on the Australian Open, overcoming Ben Shelton of their all-American showdown to advance to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.
The world No.35 prevailed in a decent first set and steadied after dropping the third to win 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 5-7 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
The outcome arrange a blockbuster semi-final for Paul on Friday towards both nine-times winner Novak Djokovic or fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev.
Paul has by no means beforehand been previous the fourth spherical of a grand slam and might be greatest recognized to Australian audiences as an in depth ally of Nick Kyrgios.
Now the 25-year-old has achieved what Kyrgios, who underwent knee surgical procedure on Monday, has not but by reaching the Open’s final 4.
“I’m pumped to be there and obviously really excited for whoever I play on Friday,” Paul stated.
“Making it to the second weekend of a slam, that’s everyone’s dream when they start playing tennis, so I can’t believe I’m here right now.”
Paul’s run to his first grand slam semi-final has included wins over seeded rivals Roberto Bautista Agut (24) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (30).
But his last-four task towards Djokovic or Rublev guarantees to be far harder.
Shelton’s loss ended his personal shock run into the Open’s second week, the place the United States had three males within the final eight of a grand slam for the primary time since 2005.
The 20-year-old left-hander was a first-round loser in his solely earlier grand slam look, finally yr’s US Open.
Shelton, ranked No.89, will rise at the least into the highest 50 for the primary time on the again of his ends in Melbourne.
