Ben Shelton’s hunger for victory at the Citi DC Open was matched only by his actual hunger after defeating Frances Tiafoe. His girlfriend Trinity Rodman made sure everyone knew about both appetites, capturing the American tennis star in a moment that perfectly summed up his quarterfinal triumph.
How Did Ben Shelton Advance to the Citi DC Open Semifinals?
Shelton rose to the occasion and surged into the semifinals of the Citi DC Open. The American defeated Mackenzie McDonald and Gabriel Diallo to make the quarterfinals, where he faced compatriot Frances Tiafoe. Despite some resistance, Shelton secured a 7-6(2), 6-4 win on Friday to advance to the final four.
NO. 4 seed BEN SHELTON reaches the @mubadalacitidc semifinals
7-6(2) 6-4 vs #6 seed Frances Tiafoe!
Frances lead *6-5 30-30 in the 1st set
Ben more courageous in the tiebreak & hit some crazy good second serve forehand returns.
These 2 play entertaining matches
(3-1 H2H Ben) pic.twitter.com/4FODfgW3X9— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) July 26, 2025
This victory carried extra significance for Shelton’s career trajectory. By reaching the quarterfinals, he had already secured a career-high ranking of World No. 7. Now, with his semifinal berth, Shelton has advanced to his 11th semifinal on tour. Notably, it’s also his second straight semifinal appearance in Washington, D.C.
What Did Trinity Rodman Capture After Shelton’s Victory?
After the match, his girlfriend Trinity Rodman posted a photo showing him hungrily digging into his post-match meal. The image perfectly captured Shelton’s appetite after his grueling quarterfinal battle.
“Post match meal go crazy,” she wrote on her Instagram story.
Rodman, daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, often shares glimpses of her moments with Shelton on social media and frequently celebrates his achievements. The 23-year-old also celebrated Shelton’s second-round victory at the ATP 500 event in Washington.
Rumors of Shelton and Rodman’s relationship had been simmering until the two confirmed them earlier in March. The U.S. women’s soccer star has been a constant presence at her boyfriend’s matches, as seen earlier at Wimbledon and again this week at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington.
What Did Shelton Say About His Rivalry With Frances Tiafoe?
Tiafoe gave Shelton a tough fight on Friday, making the victory even sweeter. Shelton was broken to love at 5-5 in the opening set, giving Tiafoe the chance to serve for it. However, Shelton mounted a strong comeback, forcing a tiebreak and eventually sealing the set with his powerful forehands.
Also Read: Ben Shelton’s Girlfriend Trinity Rodman Dons Shirt Showing World No. 8’s Face While Cheering Him On at Citi DC Open
After the match, Shelton reflected on his history with Tiafoe, acknowledging their multiple encounters and expressing genuine respect for his opponent. Despite their competitive rivalry, Shelton’s comments revealed the mutual admiration between the two Americans.
“We know tennis is a long journey. We’re going to play each other a bunch of times. Especially, we’ve already played on the hard courts, we’ve already played twice at the US Open, and he beat me the most recent time. It’s tough not to cheer for a guy like that,” Shelton spoke about his rivalry with Tiafoe after the match.
With Friday’s victory, Shelton now holds a comfortable 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Tiafoe. He will next face Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals, carrying both momentum and apparently a healthy appetite into the next round.