DALLAS -- Ben Shelton has built a reputation as one of the most fearless competitors in men's tennis, and on Sunday he delivered his most emphatic statement yet. Facing three championship points against top-seeded Taylor Fritz in a pulsating all-American final at the Nexo Dallas Open, Shelton refused to blink, producing spectacular winners under the most intense pressure before rallying to claim a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.

The title is Shelton's fourth on the ATP Tour and his first of the 2026 season, extending a remarkable personal streak: all four of his career finals have gone the distance to three sets, and he has won every single one.

The match began firmly in Fritz's favor. The top seed was clinical in the opening set, breaking Shelton's serve and controlling rallies from the baseline to take it 6-3. Fritz looked every bit the higher-ranked player, dictating points with his powerful forehand and keeping Shelton on the defensive.

But Shelton, known for his explosive athleticism and booming left-handed serve, found another gear in the second set. He began to assert himself in service games, landing first serves with greater frequency and using his trademark aggression to put Fritz under pressure. The momentum shifted decisively as Shelton leveled the match at one set apiece with a 6-3 second set of his own.

The deciding set was a classic. Both men held serve through the early games in a tense battle of nerves. Fritz appeared to have seized the decisive advantage when he earned three championship points at 5-4, with Shelton serving to stay in the match. The packed Dallas crowd held its breath.

What followed was the kind of sequence that defines careers. Shelton, staring elimination in the face not once but three times, produced clutch tennis of the highest order. He unleashed fearless winners on each championship point, refusing to play it safe when everything was on the line. The crowd erupted as he fought off all three match points to hold serve and get back on level terms.

The escape seemed to drain Fritz of his momentum. Shelton pounced, breaking the top seed's serve late in the set before serving out the match. He converted on his third match point to seal the championship, collapsing in celebration as the magnitude of the comeback washed over him.

The final showcased the remarkable depth of American men's tennis, featuring the two highest-ranked American players on tour going head to head in a match that lived up to every ounce of its billing. Both Shelton and Fritz continue to carry the flag for a golden generation of American men's players making their mark on the sport.

Shelton's Dallas triumph was not the only headline from a thrilling weekend of tennis. On the women's side, Karolina Muchova captured the prestigious WTA 1000 Doha title with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over talented teenager Victoria Mboko, capping a weekend that delivered drama and quality across both tours.

For Shelton, the win in Dallas will serve as a powerful confidence boost as the 2026 season picks up pace. His ability to produce his best tennis in the most pressurized moments suggests that his best days on tour may still be ahead of him. If Sunday's final was any indication, the rest of the field should take notice.