FRISCO, Texas — U.S. second-seeded Ben Shelton is heading into the men’s singles final at the Dallas Open, but before that, he’ll face an intense and physically demanding field in Saturday’s semifinals against Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Shelton lost the first set 6-4 before winning 6-4, 7-6 (4) in a match that lasted 2 hours and 36 minutes. Shelton will face fellow American and top-seeded Taylor Fritz, who defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3).
Shapovalov, the seventh seed from Richmond Hill, Ont., surged through the quarterfinals but managed just four aces against Shelton. Shapovalov hit 29 winners, 42 unforced errors and 2 double faults.
Shelton hit eight aces, 31 winners, 39 unforced errors and four double faults.
The American hit more first serve shots (72 to 62), saved 10 of 11 break points and won one of six break points. Shapovalov won only one of 11 break points.
The two players won 15 of 16 service games and one of 16 return games. They both have six consecutive top points finishes and both have won three games in a row.
Shapovalov advanced to the semifinals on Friday with an upset victory over third-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
