Shelton lauds 'inspiration' Tiafoe after beating defending champion to claim Houston title

Ben Shelton gained his second profession ATP title when he defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-5 4-6 6-3 within the US Males’s Clay Courtroom Championship closing on Sunday.

The pair met in Houston, Texas, as Tiafoe regarded to retain his standing as champion, having gained the event in 2023.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old was in spectacular kind as he regarded to have overcome his struggles on clay.

Shelton got here into the event with 5 consecutive defeats on the floor, however he triumphed so as to add to his Japan Open title gained final 12 months.

The 21-year-old turned the youngest winner since a 19-year-old Andy Roddick in 2002, and he was in a position to make use of his highly effective serve to ship down 11 aces for a win secured over two hours and 16 minutes.

The victory will raise Shelton to No. 14 within the males’s world rankings, one place behind top-ranked US participant, Taylor Fritz.

“Nice week Foe. Nice job to you and your group,” Shelton mentioned to Tiafoe after his win on courtroom.

“I do know this one stings, sorry you did not go back-to-back titles, however you are that kind of participant who can return to again. I need to see you do it once more this 12 months, hopefully in Stuttgart.”

He added: “You have been such an inspiration to youngsters, individuals of color in our sport, simply a tremendous illustration.

“You have been that man to all the time placed on for us and all the time be selfless, serious about others, youngsters youthful than you. So thanks for all the pieces that you just do for our sport and individuals who appear to be you and me.”

Tiafoe made mild of his defeat, saying: “It has been a very powerful 12 months and taking part in a closing has been actually nice. It sucks we could not get it executed. Screw you Ben!

“It could have been cool to get quantity 4. We’ll get that quickly sufficient. Let’s actually construct on this and let’s have ’24.”