Tabilo Rallies, Stuns Shelton in DC

Alejandro Tabilo knows a thing or two about taking out top talents. The Chilean is a man who owns two career victories over 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic after all.

The 29-year-old made use of all his big-match savoir faire on Friday night in the nation’s capital, as he rallied for a riveting, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory over second-seeded Ben Shelton to book his spot in the DC Open semifinals. 

“It was a crazy battle,” Tabilo told the press after his win. “Just so happy to have been able to get through it.” 

The Chilean was up against a two-time DC semifinalist who had the crowd on his side, but he was not intimidated and by the end of the contest it was Tabilo who stole the show from Shelton with a dazzling, determined display. 

A perfect tweener lob at 3-3 in the second set seemed to fire him up, and so did saving four break points while serving at 4-4 in the set. Shelton will lament the chances missed there, he was on the back foot on all four points.

Not long after Tabilo took his chances and broke for 7-5. In the third set there was another trade of breaks, with Tabilo scoring the latter and then continuing to control the play until he broke again with Shelton serving to stay alive at 5-6. 

Tabilo scores his biggest win by ranking on a hard court and moves on to face Rafael Jodar in the semifinals. 

19-year-old Jodar continued his rise by notching a 1-6 6-1 6-4 win over fourth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti. The Spaniard has assured himself of a Top 20 debut next week. Amazing for a talent that started the season at No.168. 

He showed maturity in rebounding from a set down after Musetti dominated the opener. 

“I didn’t start very well with Lorenzo winning the first set 6-1,” Jodar said. “I had to reset mentally. I think I did a great job, especially in the beginning of the second set. I served very well, and it gave me the opportunity to win the second and third sets. Really happy with how I reset.” 

Taylor Fritz will meet Brandon Nakashima in the top half semifinal. 

The American saved a match point to earn his first win over Alex Michelsen, 6-1 3-6 7-6(6), and survived a scare when he tweaked his left knee in the third set. He overcame the struggles, and will reclaim his status as the top-ranked American man next week. 

Fritz said the left knee issue was not a problem. He said it bothered him for four games, and then “it was a nonfactor after that.”

Nakashima took out defending champion Alex de Minaur for his fourth career Top 10 win, 7-6(5) 6-4.