By Mark Howard | @Tennis_Now | Monday, April 8, 2024

 

Twenty-one-year-old Ben Shelton won the first ATP final in the Open Era to feature two Black American men, defeating 26-year-old Frances Tiafoe, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in a festive final.

Photo credit: Mark Howard

Editor's Note: Noted photographer Mark Howard shot the historic U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship final at River Oaks Country Club in Houston on Sunday.

Twenty-one-year-old Ben Shelton won the first ATP final in the Open Era to feature two Black American men, defeating 26-year-old Frances Tiafoe, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in a festive final.

US Open semifinalist Shelton rises to a new career-high ranking of No. 14 in the new rankings.

It's a monumental title for Ben Shelton, who is the second member of his family to rule Houston, joining his dad and caoch, Bryan Shelton, the 1992 River Oaks champion.

We thank Mark Howard, who has shot this tournament for several years, for all his hard work and dedication shooting at River Oaks daily and for sharing his photography with Tennis Now.

More: Red Alert Houston Gallery by Mark Howard 

More: Pumped Houston Gallery by Mark Howard 

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You can follow Mark Howard's photography on his website MarkHowardPhotography.com or on Instagram.

Here are Mark's shots from the Houston final, the only ATP red-clay tournament played on United States' soil.























HOUSTON SINGLES FINAL—Sunday, April 8, 2024

[1] Ben Shelton (USA) d. [3] Frances Tiafoe (USA) 7-5 4-6 6-3


FINAL NOTES

Ben Shelton claimed his second career title, defeated defending champion Frances Tiafoe in three sets at River Oaks Country Club Sunday.

Shelton is the seventh American champion in the last 10 editions of the tournament.

At 21-years-old, Shelton is the youngest US Clay champion since 19-year-old Andy Roddick in 2002.

Shelton is the second member of his family to win the singles title at River Oaks. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, was a River Oaks champion in 1992.

Shelton is now 2-0 in ATP finals, having claimed his first last fall in Tokyo.

With the title, Shelton is projected to be a career high No. 14 in Monday's ATP Rankings.

Tiafoe, 26, was looking to be the first repeat US Clay champion since Steve Johnson in 2017-18.

Tiafoe has reached eight career finals and has won three titles.

This was the 10th US Clay final in the Open Era, and fourth since the tournament moved to River Oaks in 2008, to feature a pair of Americans.

The 2025 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship will be held March 29-April 6 at River Oaks Country Club.