STUTTGART, Germany — In a thrilling all-American showdown, Ben Shelton triumphed over defending champion Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to clinch the Stuttgart Open title on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Shelton showcased incredible resilience, saving nine of the eleven break points he encountered, marking his inaugural title on grass. His road to victory included a nail-biting semi-final where he saved two match points against Jiri Lehecka.
This victory marks Shelton’s sixth career title and his third of the current season, adding to his earlier successes in Munich and Dallas this February and April. Notably, he also emerged victorious over Fritz in the Dallas final.
