American top seed Ben Shelton triumphed over fellow countryman and defending champion Taylor Fritz with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to secure the Stuttgart Open ATP title on Sunday. This victory marks Shelton's first title on grass, notably against a player who had never lost a final on this surface.

The match lasted 1 hour 48 minutes, during which Shelton showcased resilience, breaking Fritz's serve once in both the opening and final sets. Despite a grueling Saturday where Shelton played nearly five hours of tennis, he managed to fend off nine of Fritz’s 11 break points.

This win represents Shelton's third title, adding to his previous victories at the Dallas Open in February and the Munich Open in April. He has now become the fourth player this decade to secure titles on hard, clay, and grass surfaces in a single season, joining the ranks of Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Bublik, and Novak Djokovic.

Shelton expressed his exhaustion but highlighted the significance of defeating one of the best grass court players, stating, "It’s a huge boost for my confidence." Fritz commended Shelton's performance, acknowledging his challenging schedule and competitive spirit.

Having faced a physically demanding path to the final, Shelton's journey included overcoming a delayed quarter-final and a nearly three-hour battle against Jiri Lehecka. He had previously lost the first set in each of his three prior matches at the tournament but turned the tide with a controlled performance in the opener.

Looking ahead, Shelton noted, "This gives me a lot of hope going into Halle and Wimbledon," with the prestigious Wimbledon tournament set to begin on 29 June.