Ben Shelton captured his fourth ATP title in dramatic fashion at the Dallas Open on Sunday, defeating fellow American Taylor Fritz in a thrilling three-set battle that showcased the best of men's tennis. The 23-year-old left-hander saved three match points in the decisive third set before securing a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over the tournament's top seed. The showdown marked the first time the two highest-ranked American players faced each other in a final since the event relocated to Dallas in 2022, delivering exactly the kind of high-stakes drama fans had anticipated at the Frisco, Texas venue.
The opening set belonged entirely to Fritz, who carried his dominant serving form from the semifinals into the championship match. The world No. 7 won 12 of his first 13 service points and applied immediate pressure on Shelton's delivery from the opening game. A crucial break in the left-hander's first service game set the tone, with Fritz controlling proceedings from the baseline and at the net with his trademark aggressive style. His serve proved virtually unplayable, mirroring his straight-sets semifinal victory over Marin Cilic where he hadn't faced a single break point across two tiebreak sets. The 6-3 scoreline barely reflected Fritz's command of the proceedings, as he dictated play with deep groundstrokes and impeccable net play.
Shelton, ranked No. 9 globally, refused to let the momentum slip away permanently despite the challenging start. The turning point arrived late in the second set when the Florida native finally found a chink in Fritz's armor after carefully studying his opponent's patterns. A decisive break gave Shelton a 5-3 advantage, allowing him to serve out the set and level the contest at one set apiece. The confidence boost was immediately evident as Shelton began to strike his groundstrokes with greater freedom, his powerful lefty serve starting to click into gear at precisely the right moment. His return position gradually crept forward, putting more pressure on Fritz's second serve and creating the openings he needed.
The final set evolved into a nerve-wracking spectacle that had the Frisco crowd on the edge of their seats throughout its duration. Shelton struck first, breaking Fritz early to establish what appeared to be a commanding position and signal a potential runaway victory. However, the top seed responded with the resilience that has defined his career, breaking back immediately to level affairs at 3-3 and restore the set's equilibrium. As the set progressed, Fritz gained the upper hand once more, breaking Shelton to lead 5-4 and moving within a single game of claiming the prestigious Texas title.
What followed was the defining sequence of the entire tournament and a moment that will be replayed in Dallas Open highlights for years to come. Fritz held three match points on Shelton's serve, each one a potential dagger to the younger American's hopes and dreams of victory. Displaying remarkable composure under the most intense pressure professional tennis can offer, Shelton saved the first with an authoritative overhead smash at the net that left Fritz no chance. The second vanished courtesy of a perfectly placed backhand winner that wrong-footed Fritz completely, the veteran stumbling as the ball zipped past him. The third and most crucial match point saw Shelton execute a delicate volley to reach deuce and went on to hold serve with another backhand volley into the open court during a tense net exchange that had both players at full stretch.
At 5-5, the match hung in the balance like a pendulum ready to swing decisively in either direction. In a rare moment of vulnerability that betrayed the tension of the moment, Fritz committed his only double-fault of the entire match, a costly error that gifted Shelton three break point opportunities at the worst possible time. The 23-year-old needed just two of them, converting when Fritz's forehand sailed long to secure the decisive break and move within a game of victory. Shelton then called upon his biggest weapon – his formidable left-handed serve – to close out the championship in style. An ace on his second serve created three match points, and he converted the second when Fritz's desperate lunging return attempt on Shelton's aggressive approach shot fell short into the net.
"This was a crazy match to be a part of," Shelton reflected afterward, still processing the emotional rollercoaster he had just survived. "I thought the level was amazing." The victory extended his perfect record in ATP finals to 4-0 and continued his impressive start to the 2025 season. Just weeks earlier, Shelton had reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, where he pushed eventual champion Jannik Sinner in a competitive straight-sets defeat that announced his arrival as a legitimate Grand Slam contender. The Dallas triumph reaffirmed his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the game and demonstrated his ability to perform under the most extreme pressure.
For Fritz, the defeat stung deeply after coming so close to victory, but the 28-year-old found solace in his performance during the critical moments. "If you'd told me I lost after having three match points, I think I would expect to be a lot more upset," he admitted with remarkable candor. "It hurts, but I feel like it doesn't hurt as much as I would expect it to because I don't really have a lot of regrets with how I played those match points." The sentiment highlighted the fine margins at the highest level of professional tennis, where execution matters as much as opportunity and mental fortitude often proves the difference between victory and defeat.
The statistical breakdown told the story of a remarkably balanced contest between two players at the peak of their powers. Both competitors served with tremendous power and precision throughout the two-hour-plus battle, with Fritz's lone double-fault proving extraordinarily costly at the worst possible moment. Shelton's ability to elevate his game on the biggest points ultimately made the difference – he saved all three match points he faced while converting two of his five break point opportunities. The match represented the third career meeting between the Americans, with Shelton now holding a 2-1 advantage in their developing head-to-head series and momentum clearly on his side.
The all-American final carried extra significance for the sport in the United States at a crucial moment in its evolution. With Shelton at No. 9 and Fritz at No. 7 in the ATP rankings, they represent the vanguard of American men's tennis in the post-Big Three era, carrying the hopes of a nation eager for its next Grand Slam champion. Their clash in Frisco demonstrated the impressive depth of talent emerging from the U.S. development system, with both players showcasing the power-based, aggressive game that has become synonymous with American tennis tradition while adding modern finesse and tactical sophistication.
At just 23 years old, Shelton's career trajectory continues to point sharply upward with no signs of slowing down. His Dallas title adds to his growing resume, which includes previous triumphs and that deep Australian Open run that turned heads globally. The left-hander's unique combination of powerful serving, exceptional athleticism, and rapidly improving court craft makes him a legitimate threat on any surface. His ability to save match points against a top-10 opponent speaks volumes about his developing mental fortitude, a quality that often separates good players from great ones and suggests he has the temperament to challenge for the sport's biggest prizes.
Despite the disappointment of letting victory slip through his fingers, Fritz's performance throughout the week reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent and reliable American players on tour. His semifinal demolition of former U.S. Open champion Cilic, where he didn't face a break point in two tiebreak sets, showcased his own formidable serve and baseline game at its absolute best. The 28-year-old has established himself as a staple in the top 10 for good reason, and his graciousness in defeat and analytical approach suggested he'll quickly turn his attention to the next opportunity with valuable lessons learned.
The Dallas Open, which moved to the Frisco area in 2022, has quickly established itself as a premier stop on the ATP Tour's early-season calendar and a fan favorite. This year's edition delivered on its promise of high-quality tennis from start to finish, with the top-seeded final providing a fitting climax to an excellent week of competition. The event's location in the heart of Texas has proven popular with players and fans alike, offering a perfect bridge between the Australian swing and the upcoming Sunshine Double while drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to see America's best talents up close.
Both players will now shift their focus to the demanding schedule that defines the spring hardcourt season. The prestigious Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami looms large on the horizon, where they'll face the full might of the ATP Tour's elite. For Shelton, the victory provides crucial momentum and valuable ranking points that could propel him even higher up the ATP ladder and potentially secure him seeded positions at upcoming Masters events. Fritz will look to bounce back quickly, drawing confidence from his overall level despite the heartbreaking nature of the loss.
In the end, the Dallas Open final delivered everything that fans of professional tennis could hope for: high-level shot-making, dramatic momentum swings, and a thrilling conclusion that will be remembered for years to come. Shelton's ability to stare down match points and emerge victorious demonstrated the kind of champion's mentality that defines careers and builds legends. As American tennis continues its resurgence on the global stage, this match will be remembered as a pivotal moment – the day Ben Shelton announced himself as ready to compete with and defeat the very best his nation has to offer, while Taylor Fritz showed the grace and skill that will keep him in contention for the biggest titles. The rivalry between these two stars is just beginning, and tennis fans should eagerly anticipate their next encounter.