New York tennis fans were gearing up for a blockbuster night session featuring the all-American clash between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, but they were left disappointed after the schedule for Friday was released.

Shelton and Tiafoe both spoke about their hopes of playing out their latest battle under the lights in front of a packed crowd on the biggest stage in the sport, but that dream has been shattered.

US Open chiefs have instead opted to put defending champion Novak Djokovic back on the night session as he takes on Alexei Popyrin in what could be a one-sided contest.

USTA chiefs have also opted against positioning defending women’s champion Coco Gauff on the night session schedule, as her high-profile third round match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina will be the first match on Ashe on Friday.

The scheduling announcement has been greeted with a mix of anger and dismay by US tennis fans on social media, as they were quick to question why the American showdown will not be given the primetime slot on TV networks across the nation.

The news will come as a disappointment to Tiafoe, who was relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with his compatriot in front of a raucous evening crowd.

“It has to be a night session, it has to be,” said Tiafoe in an interview with Sky Sports, but he will have to deal with the heat of the day instead as he takes on Shelton.

“I definitely want to play against him,” added Tiafoe. “Obviously he is very much like me and how excited and energetic he is on the court and has such a big game and big shots and serves big and gets the crowd going.

“And he is 20-21 years old. As a guy, he’s just young and funny and cracks jokes and is just about as immature as I am. We always have fun joking around and cracking jokes for sure.

“Obviously he has got one of the better serves on the tour, no question. Especially lefty and he hit all spots and all change paces quite well so that is going to be tough I’m super excited.”

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Shelton is also excited by the match against Tiafoe, as he admits their friendship will be put on hold as they battle it out for a place in the last-16 at the US Open.

“I know that the people love him here probably more than me,” said Shelton.

“He is electric here and his crowds are electric here. I was watching his match on Louis Armstrong court the other night and it was pretty cool to watch.

“I think that we are both goofy, especially in the locker room. He definitely knows how to bring out the clown side of me and I do the same with him.

“I don’t think our relationship has changed at all [after the matches]. I also think he is very locked in right now and playing some really good ball, he is playing a lot better than he was earlier in the year.

“We are good friends, it will be a battle, it will be a war just like the last two times we played. I am more than excited to be out there with him again.”

Shelton beat Tiafoe at the US Open last year and this explosive contest looks certain to be the showpiece match of Day 5 in this year’s tournament.