Ben Shelton captured his second ATP title and first on clay by defeating Frances Tiafoe in an all-American assembly on the U.S. Males’s Clay Court docket Championship on Sunday. Shelton fired 11 aces and gained 83 % of his first-serve factors whereas getting damaged solely as soon as, triumphing after two hours and 16 minutes of play.
Shelton beforehand lifted an ATP trophy final fall in Tokyo. Tiafoe was the defending champion in Houston.
“You’ve been such an inspiration to youngsters, folks of coloration in our sport, simply a tremendous illustration,” Shelton informed Tiafoe afterward. “You’ve been that man to at all times placed on for us and at all times be selfless, fascinated about others, youngsters youthful than you. So thanks for every little thing that you simply do for our sport and individuals who appear to be you and me.”
In Marrakech, Matteo Berrettini’s comeback picked up momentum together with his first title since Queen’s Membership in 2022. Berrettini, who missed the rest of final season following the U.S. Open attributable to an ankle damage, beat Grand Prix Hassan II defending champion Roberto Carballes Baena 7-5, 6-2.
“It’s been a tricky previous couple of years, I might say, and due to [my team] I used to be capable of overcome all of the powerful moments,” the Italian stated throughout the trophy ceremony. “My physique wasn’t permitting me to play, so it’s due to [them] that I’m right here.
“[I also want to thank] all of the those who made my comeback doable–all my mates, my household, those who had been with me all of the instances after I was unhappy and injured, and I didn’t assume I may make it. So thanks very a lot.”
The European clay swing started on the Estoril open, the place Hubert Hurkacz made fast 6-3, 6-4 work of Pedro Martinez.
“I’m so pleased with my efficiency immediately,” the big-serving Pole commented. “I’m proud that I discovered my serve and that positively helped me so much. Pedro is such an amazing competitor, a tremendous battle final evening. I wanted to play actually nice tennis to compete with him and fortuitously I did it.”
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
