Ben Shelton secured a straight-sets victory over Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, avenging his loss from last year’s US Open. The match took place last night in Washington, D.C., Tiafoe’s hometown, where the fourth-seeded Shelton triumphed 7-6(2), 6-4, highlighting a growing rivalry between the two American stars. Shelton’s win marks a 3-1 lead against Tiafoe as he continues to distinguish himself among his peers.
Key Moments and Stats from an Intense Match
The first set was tightly contested, featuring several lead changes before reaching a decisive tiebreaker. Tiafoe managed to even the score at 5-5 after a series of intense rallies and exchanged service breaks with Shelton. A notable moment came when Shelton delivered a powerful 144 mph serve during the tiebreak, clinching the set. Both players showcased their serving strengths, with Shelton recording nine aces and winning 90% of his first-serve points. Tiafoe contributed eight aces but had slightly lower percentages, winning 75% of first-serve points.
Regarding second-serve performance, Shelton maintained a 68% win rate on points, while Tiafoe fell to 50%. Break point efficiency favored Tiafoe, who converted his sole opportunity, whereas Shelton struggled, converting only two out of ten chances. This contrast added to the match’s drama, ultimately swinging in Shelton’s favor.
Reflections from Shelton and the Match’s Broader Impact
After the match, Shelton reflected on their ongoing rivalry, stating,
We know tennis is a long journey. We’re going to play each other a bunch of times. Especially, we’ve already played on the hard courts, we’ve already played twice at the US Open, and he beat me the most recent time. It’s tough not to cheer for a guy like that.
—Ben Shelton
Despite the loss, Tiafoe has delivered memorable moments for local fans throughout the tournament. His record now stands at 20-16 for the season. Shelton’s victory improves his record to 26-15 and sets up a semifinal clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who caused an upset by defeating the tournament’s top seed, Taylor Fritz.
Upcoming Semifinal and Broader Tournament Context
With Shelton advancing to face Davidovich Fokina, the DC Open promises further thrilling competition among rising American talents. The tournament has also featured notable performances from Emma Raducanu, who overcame Maria Sakkari in her quarterfinal match, and other American players like Coco Gauff, currently taking a break from the WTA Tour in the middle of the season.
The ongoing events at the Mubadala Citi DC Open continue to captivate tennis fans and highlight emerging stars, shaping the outlook for the hard-court season ahead.