On a sweltering summer night at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open delivered a quarterfinal showdown that had the packed 7,500-seat stadium buzzing with anticipation. In a clash of American tennis titans, fourth-seeded Ben Shelton outlasted sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-4 in a gripping two-hour battle on July 25, 2025. The match, charged with electrifying rallies and booming serves, showcased the fierce rivalry and camaraderie between two of the ATP Tour’s brightest stars, with Shelton avenging his 2024 US Open loss to Tiafoe and advancing to his second consecutive DC Open semifinal.
The atmosphere in Washington, D.C., was electric as the hometown crowd rallied behind Tiafoe, a Hyattsville, Maryland native making his ninth appearance at the tournament. Dressed in a Commanders-themed outfit, Tiafoe soaked in the chants of “Ti-a-foe!” that echoed through Rock Creek Park. Yet Shelton, the 22-year-old from Atlanta, matched the energy with his explosive game, unleashing a 144 mph ace in the first-set tiebreak to silence the partisan crowd. “It was a tough one for sure but enjoyable nonetheless,” Shelton said post-match. “I love playing against Foe. Difficult guy to play against but playing him here in the U.S., especially being here in D.C., it was packed, it was a great atmosphere. I couldn’t be happier.” His words captured the intensity of the moment, as both players fed off the crowd’s fervor in a match that felt more like a final than a quarterfinal.
The first set was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Tiafoe, known for his quick hands and relentless fight, broke Shelton’s serve at 5-5, earning a chance to serve for the set. But Shelton, undeterred, broke back immediately, forcing a tiebreak where his aggressive forehand and pinpoint serving took over. “I think obviously this court does a lot for my serve,” Shelton noted, crediting the fast hard courts for amplifying his game. He won 91% of his first-serve points, including a scorching 143 mph serve that Tiafoe couldn’t handle, sealing the tiebreak 7-2. The crowd, though disappointed, marveled at Shelton’s ability to regroup, as he admitted, “I’m a much better returner in the games after I’m broken, and that showed up.”
The second set hinged on a marathon game at 3-3, a five-deuce battle that tested both players’ resolve. Tiafoe, whose first-serve percentage dipped to 46% in the set, double-faulted at a critical moment, handing Shelton the decisive break. “He’s one of the best in the world when he’s locked in, attacking second serves and making you feel like you’re on the back foot,” Shelton said of Tiafoe’s return game. But Shelton’s own serving prowess—100% first-serve points won in the second set and a match-ending 146 mph ace—proved too much. Tiafoe, despite his 24 winners and spirited net play, couldn’t convert his seven break point chances, managing only one break in the match.
For Tiafoe, the loss stung deeply. The DC Open is the tournament he “most desperately wants to win” outside of a Grand Slam, a sentiment he expressed with raw emotion: “Ultimately, yeah, I really want to win this event every year. Another year goes by, one year older, just want to get over the line and get it done.” His fourth consecutive quarterfinal appearance in Washington, a feat shared only with Andre Agassi and Alexander Zverev this century, underscores his consistency, but the elusive title remains out of reach. The crowd, which included local icon D.C. Washington singing the national anthem, gave Tiafoe a standing ovation as he left the court, towel over his face, grappling with the weight of hometown expectations.
Shelton’s victory improved his head-to-head record against Tiafoe to 3-1, a rivalry that includes two US Open battles and a 2023 Houston final. Their friendship, forged through Laver Cup and Davis Cup camaraderie, added a layer of mutual respect to the contest. “I love him,” Tiafoe said before the match. “We have had incredible battles, became incredibly close the last few years.” Despite their first-round doubles loss as partners earlier in the week, their singles clash lived up to the hype, with Shelton’s 28 winners and 19 unforced errors outpacing Tiafoe’s 20 winners and 27 errors. Social media buzzed with praise for Shelton’s precision under pressure, with one fan posting, “Ben was just too strong when it mattered.”
As Shelton advances to face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who upset top seed Taylor Fritz in a late-night thriller, he carries a career-high No. 7 ranking and momentum from a 26-15 season. With 90 career wins and a third ATP title in sight, Shelton aims to emulate 2024 champion Sebastian Korda. For Tiafoe, now 20-16 in 2025, the focus shifts to the US Open, where his 2024 semifinal run looms large. In a tournament marked by stifling humidity and passionate crowds, Shelton’s triumph over Tiafoe was a testament to his growing dominance, setting the stage for a thrilling semifinal showdown.
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