Shelton beats Tiafoe in Houston final, Berrettini and Hurkacz also win

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 p.c 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 children, individuals of colour in our sport, simply an incredible illustration,” Shelton informed Tiafoe afterward. “You’ve been that man to all the time placed on for us and all the time be selfless, excited about others, children youthful than you. So thanks for every little thing that you just do for our sport and individuals who seem like 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 as a result of an ankle harm, beat Grand Prix Hassan II defending champion Roberto Carballes Baena 7-5, 6-2.

“It’s been a tricky previous couple of years, I’d say, and due to [my team] I used to be in a position to overcome all of the robust moments,” the Italian mentioned through 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 folks that made my comeback potential–all my associates, my household, folks that had been with me all of the instances after I was unhappy and injured, and I didn’t assume I might 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 proud of my efficiency at present,” the big-serving Pole commented. “I’m proud that I discovered my serve and that positively helped me so much. Pedro is such an ideal competitor, an incredible battle final night time. I wanted to play actually nice tennis to compete with him and thankfully 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.