In a thrilling semifinal at the Nexo Dallas Open, Ben Shelton, the tournament’s second seed, secured his place in the final after a hard-fought three-set battle against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. Shelton triumphed with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4), marking his second consecutive match that extended into a deciding set.
Reflecting on the match, Shelton praised Shapovalov’s performance, stating, “It was a gritty win. A lot of credit to Denis the way he’s playing on this court. It’s a freight train coming at you!” Shelton showcased remarkable resilience, saving 10 out of 11 break points he faced throughout the contest, with pivotal moments in the final set at 2-all and 5-all proving crucial to his success.
This hard-earned victory sets the American up for an exciting final against fellow countryman Taylor Fritz, the tournament’s top seed. This matchup will mark their first encounter in a final, adding an extra layer of anticipation for both players. “I’ve really made a concerted effort to show up to each tournament this year with the mindset that I want to win it,” Shelton remarked, emphasizing his commitment to competing at the highest levels.
The two players have faced each other twice previously, with each securing one victory, establishing a competitive backdrop for the upcoming title match.
Fritz reached the final after overcoming 37-year-old Marin Cilic in a tense serving contest, where both players unleashed their powerful serves. After just over two hours of play, Fritz clinched the match with a score of 7-6(5), 7-6(3), highlighting his serving prowess with an impressive tally of 22 aces, while Cilic managed 16.
“I think that’s the biggest thing when I feel calm and relaxed, I serve well,” Fritz stated in his post-match interview. He acknowledged the importance of composure during key moments, noting the challenges of converting break points while maintaining focus during tie-breaks.
With this win, Fritz not only advanced to his second final on home soil but also aims to build on his previous experience after reaching the US Open final in 2024. The showdown between Shelton and Fritz promises to be an exciting confrontation between two of American tennis’s rising stars, and fans eagerly await the outcome.
