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Shelton & Andrade Claim Houston Doubles Crown in Dramatic Comeback

Ben Shelton and Andres Andrade captured their first ATP Tour doubles title together at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston. They staged a comeback to defeat the top-seeded Brazilian pair of Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos in a match tiebreaker. With the win, Shelton became the first American to win the Houston doubles title since the Bryan brothers in 2016, while Andrade ended a 40-year drought for an Ecuadorian champion at the event. The victory marks a significant milestone for both players early in their partnership.

Key Points: Shelton, Andrade Win First ATP Doubles Title in Houston

  • First tour-level doubles title for the team
  • Comeback win over top-seeded Brazilians
  • Shelton first American doubles champ in Houston since 2016
  • Andrade first Ecuadorian to win a tour-level doubles title since 2024
  • Duo ended Luz and Matos's bid for a third 2026 title
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Shelton and Andrade win first doubles title in Houston

Ben Shelton and Andres Andrade win the US Clay Court doubles title, rallying past top seeds. Shelton makes American history, Andrade breaks a 40-year Ecuadorian drought.

"The former Florida Gators rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 victory in the deciding match tiebreaker. - Match Report"

Houston, April 6

Andres Andrade and Ben Shelton capped a dream run at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship when they won their first tour-level title together.

Shelton and Andrade captured the US Clay doubles with a comeback win over top-seeded Brazilians Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos. After dropping the opening set, the former Florida Gators rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 10-6 victory in the deciding match tiebreaker.

Shelton, currently No. 9 in the ATP Rankings, lost to Thiago Agustin Tirante in the singles quarter-final, but continued battling in doubles to claim his first ATP Tour doubles trophy. With the triumph, the 23-year-old became the first American doubles champion in Houston since Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan in 2016. Shelton also won the singles title in 2024.

Shelton also became just the third player this century to win both the singles and doubles titles in Houston, joining Mardy Fish (2004, 2006) and Andy Roddick (2002).

It is also a first tour-level doubles crown for Andrade. With the Houston trophy, the 27-year-old became the first Ecuadorian to win a tour-level doubles title since Gonzalo Escobar in Estoril in 2024.

The 27-year-old, currently ranked a career-high No. 218 in singles, became the first Ecuadorian US Clay title winner in 40 years since Andres Gomez won in 1986. He's also only the fifth Ecuadorian man to win an ATP doubles title in Open Era history.

Luz and Matos, the Buenos Aires and Santiago champions, were seeking their third title of 2026. They would have tied Harri Heliovaara/Henry Patten and Theo Arribage/Albano Olivetti as the only teams to claim three tour-level titles this season had they won. The Brazilians hold a 20-7 record this season, according to the ATP Win/Loss Index.

After Houston, Shelton and Andrade will return to their usual tour rhythms. Shelton heads to Europe to continue his spring schedule in Munich, Madrid, Rome, and eventually Roland Garros, while Andrade remains stateside on the ITF and Challenger circuits, beginning with the Sarasota Challenger

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Happy for Andrade! It's a big moment for Ecuadorian tennis. We need more players from smaller nations winning titles. Makes the sport more global.
A
Aman W
Interesting partnership. A top-10 singles player teaming up with someone ranked 218. Shows doubles is a different game. Respect to Shelton for giving his all even after a singles loss.
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Sarah B
The Brazilians must be disappointed. They were having a great season. But that's tennis! The tiebreaker is always a nerve-wracker.
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Karthik V
While this is a nice story, I wish Indian players were getting these headlines. Our doubles pairs are doing well too, but need more coverage and support. Just saying.
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Nikhil C
Shelton joining Fish and Roddick in that Houston record is impressive company. He's the future of American tennis for sure. On to the clay season in Europe!

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