Shelton Defeats Tiafoe, Advances to DC Open Semis

Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open after defeating Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-4 in the men's singles quarterfinal, avenging his previous US Open loss to Tiafoe. Shelton's performance was highlighted by his powerful serving, including a 144 mph ace, and resilience under pressure. He will next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who upset top seed Taylor Fritz, in the semifinals. In the women's draw, Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez both reached the semifinals, raising the possibility of a rematch of their 2021 US Open final. Off the court, Shelton's relationship with soccer star Trinity Rodman has attracted significant attention and added to his profile in Washington, D.C. The tournament has featured strong local interest, celebrity appearances, and dramatic matches in both singles and doubles.