Alejandro Tabilo defeated Ben Shelton on Friday, July 31, 2026, to advance to the semifinals of the Washington Open [1, 2].

The victory represents a significant upset in the tournament, as Tabilo overcame a heavy favorite on home soil in the U.S. [2].

The match took place during the quarterfinal round of the competition [1]. Tabilo held firm against Shelton's aggressive play to secure the win in Washington, D.C. [1, 2].

Betting markets had heavily favored the American player heading into the contest. Shelton was listed as a -340 favorite over Tabilo before the match began [2]. Despite the statistical disadvantage, Tabilo's performance allowed him to stun the crowd and the favorite.

Shelton entered the match with high expectations given his standing and the location of the event. However, Tabilo's consistency throughout the quarterfinal proved to be the deciding factor in the matchup [1, 2].

The result moves Tabilo further into the bracket of the Washington Open, while ending Shelton's run in the tournament [1].

“Tabilo held firm to stun Shelton in the Washington Open quarterfinals”

Tabilo's victory highlights the volatility of the ATP tour's hard-court season and demonstrates his ability to perform under pressure against top-seeded opponents. By defeating a heavy favorite like Shelton, Tabilo gains critical momentum and confidence heading into the later stages of the tournament.