The nerves, the noise, and the near-defeat all fueled Ben Shelton on Sunday night at the Nexo Dallas Open. The 23-year-old produced one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season, saving three championship points to stun Taylor Fritz 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and lift his first trophy of the year.

Shelton roared back after staring defeat in the face, completing a remarkable turnaround to clinch his second ATP 500 crown. After surviving a tense 10th game in the decider where all three match points came and went, he dropped just three more points to seal his fourth ATP Tour title - and his first indoors. The run also marked his eighth Top-10 win and another comeback triumph, having rallied from a set down in each of his last three matches.

After the match, heaped praise on his rival for an incredible fight. “I wanna congratulate Taylor. This was a crazy match to be a part of. I thought your level was amazing.” He further added,  “What you’ve done this year dealing with adversity, fighting through injuries and nags here and there.. the competitor that you are, the work your team does, you’re an inspiration to all I think that every kid at home should watch how hard you compete day in and out when you’re not feeling 100%. I just want to congratulate you guys. You’re doing amazing.”

Talking about the match, the top-seed showdown delivered drama from start to finish. Shelton initially surrendered a break advantage in the deciding set and looked headed for defeat, but he found another gear at the very end to turn the match around.

With the one-hour, 51-minute victory, Shelton improved to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Fritz. Since the start of 2025, he is now 11-4 in deciding-set matches - including nine wins after losing the opening set, underlining his growing reputation as a clutch performer.

Fritz dominated early, serving almost flawlessly in the opener. Chasing his 11th ATP Tour title, he struck 11 winners and swept through the set in just 26 minutes. But the momentum shifted in the second. Shelton steadied his serve, energized the crowd, and began dictating longer rallies. Ten booming aces and improved baseline control put him back in command before a pair of Fritz errors handed over the break at 5-3, allowing Shelton to level the contest.

The drama peaked in the decider. Fritz broke and held three championship points at 5-4, only for Shelton to unleash fearless shot-making under pressure. He erased all three, broke serve in the next game, and then calmly served out the title. The win also served as a response to his recent quarterfinal defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open.

“Once I get a set, I feel pretty confident,” Ben Shelton explained. “Once I’m able to sink my teeth in and feel like I have some sort of rhythm, I just start to loosen up and find my level. I think I’m also in shape - my fitness levels are good - and that probably plays into it.”

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Fritz can still take positives from reaching his 20th tour-level final. The American No. 1 now heads to the Delray Beach ATP 250 as the top seed, while Shelton leaves Dallas with renewed confidence and a reputation as one of the tour’s fiercest closers under pressure. What did Fritz say after the match? Let’s also find out Shelton’s response to having such a wonderful support system around him.

Taylor Fritz also enjoyed this “crazy” duel against Ben Shelton

Even in defeat, Taylor Fritz couldn’t help but appreciate the spectacle he had just been part of.

The Nexo Dallas Open final delivered a gripping showdown between the top two seeds, swinging back and forth until the very last ball. Ben Shelton looked out of the contest after surrendering a late break in the deciding set, but he produced fearless tennis under pressure to snatch the title and leave Fritz heartbroken.

Despite falling short, Fritz still recorded his 20th career tour-level final and will carry momentum into the ATP 250 event in Delray Beach, where he arrives as the top seed. Speaking during the trophy ceremony, the American No. 1 summed up the drama perfectly:

“It was a crazy match, a fun match to be a part of - until the end,” Fritz said with a wry smile. “Congrats to Ben and his team. He played great, and in the end, he played the big points and important moments really well.” After lifting his first title of the 2026 season, Shelton turned emotional while acknowledging the people closest to him.

“First and most importantly, I wanna thank God. I feel blessed not only to have a great support system, the best team, amazing family.. but also just the opportunity to travel the world, be healthy, play in front of you guys.. have experiences like this.. there’s nothing like it. I appreciate everybody for coming out. This is one of my favorite atmospheres I’ve ever played in.”

His celebrations quickly turned into a family affair. Shelton’s sister Emma Shelton, girlfriend Trinity Rodman, and relatives erupted in joy from the stands as the American captured the Dallas crown. During his speech, he jokingly praised the traveling efforts of his aunt and loved ones:

“Thank you for believing in me. Thank you those who flew in today or late night to make it here. My sister and my aunt.. my aunt has flown more than any aunt has ever flown to see their nephew play tennis. Just about every continent. I love all of you guys. You guys are the best.”

The celebrations continued online. Ben Shelton posted photos with the trophy captioned “Dallas 🏆,” while Emma called him a “Champ” and Rodman described the win as “unreal.”

Fresh off the confidence-boosting victory, Shelton now shifts his focus to the Mexican Open, scheduled from February 23-28 in Acapulco. The outdoor hard-court event will present a different challenge, but Dallas proved one thing: Shelton’s belief under pressure is stronger than ever. How many titles do you think he can win this year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more