In a gripping quarter-final at the Nexo Dallas Open, top seed Taylor Fritz overcame both a fierce competitor and a worrying elbow injury to defeat Sebastian Korda 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(5) and secure his spot in the semi-finals. The match showcased intense rallies and nail-biting moments, particularly as Fritz faced an injury scare during the first set while executing a backhand flick that sent pain shooting through his elbow. Despite the alarming moment and multiple visits from the physio, Fritz steadied himself and continued his formidable performance.
“It’s one of those weird injuries where you think you’re fine, then suddenly, you feel that sharp pain,” Fritz explained after the match, noting that medication helped manage his discomfort as he advanced through the match. His resilience shone through as he not only secured 22 aces but also saved all four break points he encountered.
Fritz will now face former World No. 3 Marin Cilic, who dismantled Jack Pinnington Jones 6-1, 6-4 in just 78 minutes. The encounter promises to be a thrilling one as Fritz holds a slight edge in their previous encounters, leading their head-to-head series 2-1, although the two have not faced each other since 2022.
In another quarter-final, second seed Ben Shelton triumphed against Miomir Kecmanovic with a scoreline of 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, marking his 13th semi-final in an ATP event and his first since clinching the title in Toronto in August. Shelton displayed exceptional proficiency on his serve, winning a remarkable 92 percent of points behind his first serve, including 100 percent in the second set.
Shelton will go head-to-head with defending champion Denis Shapovalov, who continued his title defense by overcoming Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Shapovalov’s compelling performance culminated in 40 winners, and he echoed the importance of maintaining focus throughout the match.
As the tournament progresses to the semi-finals, the anticipation builds for these thrilling match-ups, highlighting the tenacity and skill of these talented players as they vie for coveted positions in the finals.