FRISCO, Texas – Second-seeded American Ben Shelton advances to the men’s singles final at the Dallas Open, but not before a thrilling and physically demanding semifinal against defending champion Denis Shapovalov of Canada on Saturday.
Shelton dropped the opening set 6-4 and then rebounded with 6-4, 7-6 (4) victories in the two-hour, 36-minute match. Shelton will face compatriot and top seed Taylor Fritz – who defeated Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in the other semi-final – in the championship on Sunday.
Fritz, a 10-time ATP Tour champion, and Shelton split their first two meetings. Shelton has three tour titles.
“Are you telling me this is the finale you want to see?” Shelton asked, prompting cheers from fans in the indoor football stadium that doubles as the Dallas Cowboys’ practice field at the club’s headquarters. “I’m super excited about that match.”
Seventh-seeded Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., who battled his way through the quarterfinals, managed just four aces against Shelton. Shapovalov finished with 29 winners, 42 unforced errors and two double faults.
Shelton had eight aces, 31 winners, 39 unforced errors and four double faults.
The American had a better first serve percentage (72 vs. 62), saved 10 out of 11 break points and won one out of six break points. Shapovalov won only one of eleven break points.
Both players won 15 of the 16 service games and one of the 16 return games. They both had six maximum points in a row and both had won three games in a row.
Shapovalov advanced to the semifinals on Friday with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over third-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain.
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