Team Australia secured one of the most memorable Davis Cup victories in recent times overnight, taking down the USA 2-1 to reach their third-straight semi-final.
As far as rankings go, the selection of both Kokkinakis (No.77) and Shelton (No.21) came as a surprise considering the recent form of Alexei Popyrin (No.24), Jordan Thompson (No.26) and Tommy Paul (No.12).
The pair’s first-ever meeting began with the South Australian playing lights-out tennis, grabbing the opener after conceding one game.
An inevitable response from Shelton helped gain a break for the American in the first game of the second set, sending the rubber to a decider.
The duo produced immaculate service games, forcing a bonkers 30-point tiebreak.
Kokkinakis squandered two match points at 6-4 before saving four match points of his own to round out an epic 6-1 4-6 7-6(14) victory.
"I don't know if I've been that pumped up in my life. I wanted that one bad. I wanted to help my team," said Kokkinakis.
"(The tiebreak) was tough; we were both serving well. I think I only got tight on one shot. He was serving incredibly. I can't even speak, and I'm happy."
USA captain Bob Bryan admitted afterwards that he tried to catch the Australians off guard with his selection choice.
"We were hoping to catch the Aussies a little bit by surprise," Bryan said. "We took a shot at it."
When asked about the USA's decision to pick Shelton for singles, Australia team captain Lleyton Hewitt confessed he was prepared for anything.
"It didn't surprise us that much, to be honest," he admitted. "I'd seen them do drills during the week, so it wasn't a surprise.
"At the end of the day, we knew who we were going with and we had to go out there, and these two just came off playing in the [ATP] Finals last week, and they were there for a reason."
Exactly one week since US Open finalist Taylor Fritz mounted a comeback win against Alex de Minaur at the Nitto ATP Finals, the Aussie No.1 failed to exact revenge as he stumbled in a 6-3 6-4 loss.
A last-minute call-up by Hewitt ensured the Sydeysider was fit and healthy to compete, but was simply outclassed.
With the tie locked at 1-1, the doubles partnership of Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson carried the green and gold over the line to defeat Shelton and Paul 6-4 6-4 in what was another shock choice to leave out doubles specialists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
Ebden, a standout performer, used his experience in the pressure moments to help seal Australia's passage into the last-four.
"We've got a b****y rich history in this competition over a number of years, well over 100 years, so these boys know it's a great honour every time you get the chance to wear the green and gold out here," Hewitt said post-match.
"We've had a group of six guys that have really put their hands up the last three or four years now. They've gelled together well and I'm just super proud of the whole team as a collective."
Australia awaits the winner of Italy or Argentina for a chance to cement a third-consecutive Davis Cup final appearance.
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