Top seeds collide: Fritz and Shelton set up all-American Dallas final
Ben Shelton edged out Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Saturday night. He’ll play American Taylor Fritz, the top seed, in the final
Taylor Fritz, Dallas 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
The 2026 Nexo Dallas Open will conclude with a blockbuster domestic showdown after world No. 7 Taylor Fritz and world No. 9 Ben Shelton navigated high-pressure semifinals on Saturday night.
This marquee matchup marks the first time in over 44 years that the first and second seeds have reached the finals of three different ATP Tour events in the same calendar week, echoing the elite stability currently seen in Rotterdam and Buenos Aires.
In the night session, second seed Ben Shelton ended the title defense of Canadian Denis Shapovalov in a grueling 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) comeback victory. Shelton’s resilience was tested early as Shapovalov, the 2025 champion, dictated play with his aggressive forehand to claim the opening set.
However, Shelton displayed remarkable composure under fire, saving a staggering 10 of 11 break points across the match – including critical saves at 2-2 in the second set and late in the decider. A decisive mini-break at 3-3 in the third-set tiebreak allowed the American lefty to seal the win in two hours and 36 minutes, securing his fourth career victory over Shapovalov in as many meetings.
Earlier in the day, top seed Taylor Fritz delivered a serving masterclass to halt the resurgence of veteran Marin Čilić. Fritz fired 22 aces and never faced a break point in his 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) win over the 37-year-old Croatian. Despite Čilić’s own powerful delivery—saving all five break points he faced—Fritz proved more clutch in the tiebreaks, securing his 20th career ATP final.
Dallas 2026: Semifinal Results
Ben Shelton (2) def. Denis Shapovalov (7): 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4)
Taylor Fritz (1) def. Marin Čilić: 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3)
