How Did Shelton Save Championship Points Against Fritz to Secure the Title in Dallas?
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Dallas, Feb 16 (NationPress) Ben Shelton saved three championship points to overcome Taylor Fritz in the final of the Dallas Open, securing his first title of the season and marking his fourth ATP Tour victory. The 23-year-old made a remarkable comeback after losing the first set, finishing the match with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, and claiming his second ATP 500 trophy by saving all three championship points during a tense 10th game of the final set.
With this victory, which lasted one hour and 51 minutes, Shelton improved to 2-1 in his ATP head-to-head against Fritz. Since the start of 2025, Shelton boasts an 11-4 record in deciding-set matches, as per the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, including nine wins after being a set down.
“It feels incredible. I’m grateful to God for providing me with the strength to win this tournament, especially after facing so many challenges. I appreciate the opportunity to play five matches in front of such amazing crowds. The energy was electric,” Shelton expressed after his victory.
“I had to battle until the very end. Fritz played exceptionally well, and I faced difficulties with his game. I aimed to be competitive throughout, and ultimately, I came out on top. This win reflects the dedication of my team and me,” he added.
Although Fritz fell short in the final, he can take pride in reaching his 20th tour-level final. The American No. 1 will now head to the ATP 250 event in Delray Beach as the top seed.
“It was an exhilarating and enjoyable match until the conclusion. Kudos to Ben and his team for their performance. He excelled in the crucial moments,” Fritz commented.