Shelton rallies to win Dallas Open
American saves match points to beat Fritz
Ben Shelton mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat fellow American Taylor Fritz 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and claim the Dallas Open title, his fourth ATP crown. After dropping the opening set as Fritz dominated with an almost flawless serve, the 23-year-old left-hander recalibrated his game, producing aggressive groundstrokes, sharper returns and 10 aces to force a decider. A pivotal break for 5-3 in the second set swung momentum firmly in Shelton’s favour.
The final set saw several momentum shifts and tense rallies. Fritz looked poised to close the match when he broke and earned three match points at 5-4, but Shelton displayed remarkable composure and athleticism to save them, extend rallies and turn pressure into opportunity. He broke Fritz’s serve at 6-5 and then held to seal the victory, celebrated with emphatic court-side reactions from the Dallas crowd.
Shelton’s blend of raw power, speed and improving tactical awareness underpinned the comeback. His serve, often exceeding 130 mph, produced free points, while his willingness to finish at the net and mix up pace unsettled the more experienced Fritz. The match highlighted Shelton’s growing maturity: instead of forcing errors after losing the first set, he remained patient, cut down unforced mistakes and executed on key points.
The title adds valuable ATP ranking points and momentum as Shelton heads into the next stretch of the season, reinforcing his status among a rising cohort of American players making waves on tour. For Fritz, the loss will sting, but his deep run confirms continued consistency at high-level events. The all-American final drew strong local support, underscoring U.S. depth in men’s tennis.
Coaches and commentators noted the match as evidence of Shelton’s capacity to perform under pressure and close out tight matches—an essential trait for progression at the top level. With confidence boosted by another trophy, Shelton is likely to carry belief into upcoming tournaments, while his performance in Dallas will be studied by rivals preparing for his powerful baseline game and aggressive serving style.
