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By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, February 15, 2026Photo credit score: Nexo Dallas Open Fb
Again to the wall, Ben Shelton staved off three championship factors with daring ahead flash.
Shelton saved three championship factors serving at 4-5 within the decider sparking a gritty 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 comeback conquest of top-seeded Taylor Fritz in right this moment’s thrilling all-American Nexo Dallas Open ultimate.
“First and most significantly I need to thank God,” Shelton stated. “Having experiences like this there’s nothing prefer it. I recognize everybody popping out.
“I need to congratulate Taylor. This was a loopy match to be part of. I assumed your stage was wonderful. What you’ve completed this yr coping with adversity, combating by means of accidents, the competitor you might be, you’re an inspiration to each child watching at house the way in which you compete day in and day trip and I need to congratulate you.”
It was the third straight comeback conquest for Shelton, who rallied from a set down defeating Delray Seaside champion Miomir Kecmanovic 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, dethroned defending champion Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) in final night time’s semifinals then dropped serve to begin right this moment’s match earlier than surging previous Fritz in the most effective comebacks of his younger profession.
It’s Shelton’s fourth profession title and he did it counting on excellent serving, quick fingers and fearless internet play with the match on the road.
Down 4-5 and three match factors within the decider, Shelton hit a clear backhand winner behind Fritz to disclaim one championship level and slammed two smashes to attract even at deuce. Shelton carved a backhand drop volley to arrange a volley winner as he stood tall amid extreme stress holding for 5-all.
Pained by that close to miss, Fritz missed a pair of backhands then spit up his lone double fault of the day to face triple break level. On the second break level, Fritz fired a drive deep as Shelton broke for 6-5 with a booming “Come on!”
Although Shelton shot out to a 40-Love lead serving for the title, Fritz fended off two championship factors himself.
On the third championship level, a affected person Shelton measured a forehand, took a bit off his drive down the road and closed a fierce combat in a single hour, 51 minutes.
“I needed to will myself over the road right this moment,” Shelton instructed Tennis Channel’s Sam Querrey in his post-match interview. “Not take into consideration the second, simply attempt to execute on the highest stage. I knew it was gonna take my prime hardest tennis to win right this moment…
“I used to be going for the photographs, there was no hesitation in my play, no matter occurred occurred. It was a tricky one for positive. I don’t assume title runs are ever straight ahead. Taking the trail of most resistance generally prepares you for the moments within the tournaments.”
The 2 prime seeds each served with authority. Fritz fired 14 aces in opposition to one double fault and gained 88 p.c of first-serve factors. Shelton smacked 16 aces in opposition to no double faults and fought off 5 of seven break factors.
Although Fritz is likely one of the cleanest ball strikers within the sport, owns an imposing serve and a much bigger backhand than Shelton, finally Shelton’s consolation stage at internet, his all-court acumen and his sheer guts taking on at internet on these championship factors proved to be pivotal.
“I simply need to say congrats to Ben, it was a loopy match,” Fritz stated. “A enjoyable match to be part of up till the top, however congrats to Ben and his crew.
“You performed nice and ultimately performed the massive factors, essential moments, good, so congrats on the win.”
The ultimate conflict between two top-ranked Individuals marked the primary time the highest two seeds met within the ultimate since top-seeded Kevin Anderson defeated No. 2-seeded Sam Querrey within the 2018 title match. It was the primary time two Prime 10 gamers contested the ultimate since 2002 when the event was staged in San Jose and the younger world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt fended off fifth-ranked Andre Agassi.
In an excellent begin, Fritz tore by means of 12 of the primary 13 factors bracketing two love holds round a break at 15 for a 3-0 lead.
The Fritz first serve was first price within the opener. Fritz gained three of his first 4 service video games at love, served 72 p.c and was 18 for 18 on first-serve factors within the opener.
Hammering his forehand crosscourt to Shelton’s weaker backhand wing helped Fritz fly to a 5-3 lead after 21 minutes.
The one actual stress for the highest seed got here when he served for the set. Shelton pressed Fritz to deuce however was transferring backward when he netted a poor drop shot to face a second set level. Fritz drew the forehand error snatching the opening set after 25 minutes.
Amping up his power stage and exhorting himself with loud “come ons!” Shelton twice fought off break factors within the second set.
The left-hander lashed the whipping vast serve saving a break level and holding for 2-1.
The 2024 US Open finalist Fritz, who stamped two extra love holds within the set, earned one other break level within the seventh sport.
Altering up his serve sample, Shelton pumped an ace down the T to erase it, finally holding for 4-3.
These misplaced alternatives haunted Fritz, who ballooned a forehand lengthy then watched Shelton burn him with the working forehand move for triple break level. A flat-footed Fritz slapped a low backhand into the center of the web as Shelton scored his first break for 5-3.
Serving for the second set, Shelton smoked his 14th ace to open, deployed a intelligent drop-shot lob mixture then banged the physique serve sealing the second set and forcing a decider after one hour of play.
Three video games into the third set, Shelton was focusing on the Fritz forehand and it paid off.
A 14-shot baseline rally ended with Fritz narrowly hooking a forehand vast to face break level. Displaying excessive shot tolerance, Shelton smacked a working forehand strike ending a 12-shot rally with a bang breaking for 2-1 and pounding his palm in opposition to his chest.
Shelton labored by means of a difficult maintain at 30 to stretch his result in 3-1.
Although velocity isn’t Fritz’s forte, he confirmed a superb burst digging out a drop shot that bought him to 30-all on the Shelton serve.
The second seed netted a meek backhand slice then sprayed a forehand vast as Fritz broke again forging a 3-all tie.
World No. 7 Fritz was one level from lifting the title going up 15-40 on the Shelton serve in that tenth sport.
Shelton threw down a smash to erase the primary championship level then stunned Fritz cracking his backhand behind the highest seed to disclaim championship level No. 2.
On the third championship level, Shelton snapped one other smash. When Fritz missed a backhand, Shelton gained match level. Displaying comfortable fingers, Shelton flicked a drop volley to arrange a volley winner and earned that hard-fought maintain for 5-all.
“Being down a championship level, particularly on my serve, I do know the blokes’s gonna be just a little bit nervous, just a little bit tentative,” Shelton stated. “I gotta be able to pounce and assault at that second and can myself to win these factors…
“I stick to what I do know my sport model and being okay with the consequence.”
Shelton denied Fritz an eleventh title beating the higher-ranked American for the second time in three conferences.
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