Ben Shelton Cruises Into DC Quarterfinals in Just 61 Minutes

Washington, D.C., July 25 – Ben Shelton delivered a blistering performance on Thursday to book his spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, dismantling Canada’s Gabriel Diallo 6-3, 6-2 in just 61 minutes.

The No. 4 seed and one of the ATP Tour’s brightest young talents showed complete control from start to finish. He fired 16 aces, won 93.3% of his first-serve points (28 out of 30), and never faced a break point throughout the match.

“I felt locked in from the first ball,” said Shelton after his win.
“My serve was on point, and I kept the pressure up the whole way. Playing here in front of a home crowd gives me that extra boost.”

Quarterfinals mark another milestone for Shelton

At just 21 years old, Shelton continues to rise on the ATP Tour. This marks his first quarterfinal appearance at the DC Open and adds to his growing resume during the hard-court season.

His raw power, particularly on serve, combined with improved court positioning and shot selection, has made him one of the most exciting players to watch this summer.

With this victory, Shelton remains one of the top American hopes in the lead-up to the US Open, where he reached the semifinals in 2023.

Next challenge: Quarterfinal clash awaits

Shelton will now prepare for a quarterfinal showdown against a yet-to-be-determined opponent, as the draw continues to unfold in Washington. Regardless of the matchup, Shelton’s current form makes him a serious contender for the title.

As the North American hard-court swing heats up, Ben Shelton is not just holding his own — he’s making a statement.