Ben Shelton advanced to the final of the Dallas Open after a hard-fought victory over Denis Shapovalov. The match was a tense affair, ultimately decided in a tie-break after a grueling contest that saw both players evenly matched in total points scored.
A Test of Resilience
Shapovalov entered the match with significant momentum, boasting an eight-match winning streak in Dallas. Last year, he secured the title at the indoor event, defeating Top 10 players Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Casper Ruud along the way. He initially appeared poised to continue his dominance, winning the first set and creating multiple break point opportunities throughout the match.
Despite Shapovalov’s early advantage and continued pressure – including four break points in the second set and two more in the third – Shelton repeatedly fought back. He successfully defended against numerous break point chances, including a critical one at 5-all in the third set.
The match ultimately hinged on the tie-break, where Shelton elevated his game. He secured triple match point by winning three consecutive points from a 3-all tie and closed out the match with a forehand winner.
The final point tally revealed just how closely contested the match was: Shelton 111, Shapovalov 111.
Looking Ahead
Shelton will now face Taylor Fritz in the final. Fritz previously fell to Shapovalov last year. A possible next step for Shelton is to analyze his performance against Shapovalov to identify areas for improvement before his match against Fritz. It is likely to be another challenging contest, given Fritz’s prior success in the tournament and his defeat of Shapovalov in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shapovalov’s winning streak in Dallas before this match?
Shapovalov had an eight-match winning streak in Dallas prior to his match against Shelton.
How many break points did Shapovalov have during the match?
Shapovalov had four break points in Shelton’s 2-all service game in the second set, two break points in Shelton’s 1-all service game in the third set, and another break point at 5-all in the third set.
How was the match ultimately decided?
The match was ultimately decided in a tie-break after both players scored 111 points.
What does Shelton’s victory reveal about the evolving landscape of men’s professional tennis?
