MIAMI:
Ben Shelton defeated 2023 champion Frances Tiafoe in three sets to clinch the ATP U.S. Clay Court Championship in Houston on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Shelton triumphed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the all-American final to become the youngest winner at the tournament since 19-year-old Andy Roddick in 2002.
The title is the second of Shelton’s career and his first on clay — the left-hander had arrived at Houston with a 2-7 record on clay in ATP events.
Shelton’s serve was the key to his win — he hit 11 aces and won 83% of his first serve point.
He took the first set with a break in the 12th game but Tiafoe struck back, breaking to go 2-1 up in the second and confidently forcing a deciding set.
But Shelton, who had won the only previous meeting the pair in the US Open quarter-finals last year, never looked in danger in the third.
Shelton’s first win on the ATP tour came in October, on hard court, at the Japan Open.
