Dallas, Texas – Ben Shelton, the 23-year-old American tennis player, secured his fourth ATP Tour title on , at the Nexo Dallas Open. The victory over compatriot Taylor Fritz was particularly dramatic, as Shelton saved three championship points to clinch the title in a thrilling three-set match.
The final score was 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, marking Shelton’s second ATP 500 trophy and his first indoor title. The match, a high-octane contest between the tournament’s top two seeds, showcased Shelton’s composure under pressure and his ability to rally from difficult positions. He had previously overcome four deciding-set battles throughout the tournament to reach the final.
“It feels amazing. I thank God, because I needed something super natural to end up winning this tournament with all the holes that I was in,” Shelton said after the match, as reported by the ATP Tour. “I feel grateful to play five matches out here with these crowds. The energy was amazing.”
The path to the championship wasn’t straightforward for Shelton. After dropping the first set 3-6, he rebounded to win the second 6-3, forcing a decisive third set. In that final set, Shelton faced a critical juncture when Fritz reached 5-4 and held a 40-15 advantage on Shelton’s serve – presenting three opportunities to win the championship. However, Shelton demonstrated resilience, saving all three championship points and ultimately breaking Fritz’s serve to take a 7-5 victory.
This win represents a significant milestone in Shelton’s burgeoning career. He has now improved his head-to-head record against Fritz to 2-1, with both of his victories coming in tournament finals – the other being at the ATP Masters 1000 Canada event. The Dallas Open title also solidifies his position within the ATP’s top ten, currently ranked at number nine.
Shelton’s journey through the tournament saw him defeat a series of challenging opponents. He overcame Gabriel Diallo (ranked 38), Adrian Mannarino (ranked 52), Miomir Kecmanovic (ranked 68), and the defending champion, Denis Shapovalov (ranked 40), all of whom were ranked within the ATP top 100. These victories demonstrate Shelton’s ability to consistently perform against high-caliber competition.
The victory in Dallas is particularly noteworthy as it marks Shelton’s first title of . It also highlights the growing strength of American tennis, with Shelton and Fritz consistently featuring among the top players on the ATP Tour. The match itself was described as “high-octane” and “ebbing and flowing” right until the final point, showcasing the competitive spirit of both players.
“I had to fight until the last minute. Fritz was playing very good tennis and I was struggling a lot with what he was throwing at me. I tried to be a competitor through and through, and I ended up coming out on top. I think it’s a testament to the work me and my team put in,” Shelton added.
The Nexo Dallas Open, an ATP 500 event, has quickly become a prominent fixture on the tennis calendar, attracting top players and enthusiastic crowds. Shelton’s victory is likely to further elevate the tournament’s profile and attract even more attention in the years to come. The win also provides a significant boost to Shelton’s confidence as he heads into the remainder of the season.
For Fritz, the loss represents a missed opportunity to add another title to his collection. Despite holding a commanding position in the third set, he was unable to close out the match against a determined Shelton. The match underscores the unpredictable nature of professional tennis and the importance of maintaining focus and composure even in the face of victory.
Shelton’s success story is particularly compelling given his relatively recent emergence on the professional tennis scene. His powerful serve and aggressive playing style have quickly made him a fan favorite, and his victory in Dallas is a clear indication of his potential to become a dominant force in the sport. The win also marks his fourth ATP Tour title signaling a consistent upward trajectory in his career.
