What Ben Shelton needs at the Houston Open to pass Taylor Fritz as top American

Ben Shelton has a great opportunity to regain his position as the top American men’s player, taking over from Taylor Fritz.

Fritz is currently ranked eighth in the ATP rankings, holding the highest position among American players.

Shelton, just behind him in ninth, will be looking to overtake him during this week’s Houston Open.

Shelton leads the field as the top seed at the ATP 250 event in Texas. Fritz isn’t playing, having also chosen to skip the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Following a first-round bye, Shelton will begin his Houston campaign against Zhang Zhizhen, with a chance to move into another leading role on the line for Shelton – that of America’s number one.

Just one Houston Open win away from becoming American No.1

Fritz will also be concerned by the fact that Shelton needs just one win in Texas to regain his top national ranking.

With 3,860 points, he sits just 10 points behind Fritz in the ATP Live rankings and is closing in on the top spot for the first time since February.

The two have a developing head-to-head record, which currently stands at 2-1 in Shelton’s favour.

That includes their recent Dallas Open final, where Shelton rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 and took the lead in their matchups.

Ben Shelton enjoying doubles success at Houston Open

Zhang is a wildcard in Houston and moved into the second round after a 6-1, 6-3 win over British qualifier Jack Pinnington Jones.

Ranked 263rd in the world, Zhang and Shelton are tied 1-1 in their previous meetings, with Zhang taking their most recent encounter in Rome earlier this year.

Shelton has also been making headlines as a doubles wildcard, recently booking a place in the semifinals.

Teaming up with Andres Andrade, the pair started by beating Rajeev Ram and Benjamin Kittay, then followed up by upsetting third seeds Marcelo Demoliner and Robert Galloway.

They’ll next face either Rinky Hijikata and Ryan Seggerman or the second-seeded duo of Santiago Gonzalez and Fernando Romboli for a spot in the final.

Shelton’s only previous appearance in a doubles final came at Washington in 2023, where he lost alongside Mackenzie McDonald.

This current run should give him added confidence for his singles campaign, which is expected to remain his main focus moving forward.

Doubles play should also help him adjust to clay courts after coming off hard court season.

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