Arthur Fils triumphs in Barcelona, Rybakina, Shelton claim clay-court titles

During the 2020s, certain names have come to the fore in spring: Swiatek, Alcaraz, Sinner, Gauff, Sabalenka, Djokovic. They’re the game’s top tier on all surfaces, and especially on clay.

For various reasons—injury, defeat, a week off—none of them were around this weekend for the 500 finals in Stuttgart, Barcelona, and Munich.

Instead, the winners were three players—Arthur Fils, Elena Rybakina, Ben Shelton—who are hoping to put themselves in the title conversation at the upcoming Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome—and, if all goes according to plan, Roland Garros after that.

Here’s a look, based on their final-round performances on Sunday, at what makes them clay contenders, and what might hold them back.

Barcelona: Arthur Fils d. Andrey Rublev 6-2, 7-6 (2)

“There comes a time when you almost feel sorry for the ball”

That’s what one of the commentators in Barcelona said as she watched Fils and Rublev bash an unfortunate piece of rubber and felt back and forth. A final between the Frenchman and the Russian, neither of whom hold anything back on any swing, was destined to be a violent affair, and this two-setter didn’t disappoint.

For the first 15 games, Fils was the superior slugger. He used his leg speed to run around and hit forehands as often as possible, and he used arm speed to drill those forehands heavy and hard to the corners. He could match Rublev’s pace, but also do it with more spin for safety; Fils finished with 20 forehand winners to just eight for the Russian.

“The way you are playing is ridiculous,” Rublev said afterward, marveling at how quickly Fils has returned from a back injury this spring. This was Fils’ first title since 2024, his third on clay, and his third at a 500. It can be easy to forget he’s still just 21.

Fils’ strengths on clay: If you’re looking for a guy who can physically match up with Alcaraz and Sinner on dirt, Fils is a strong candidate. He’s a top-level mover and ball-striker, and his mix of topspin and pace on his forehand may be hard for anyone to counter in the coming weeks. Fils is also a fierce and vocal competitor who doesn’t seem intimidated by anyone or any stage. Bonus: He’ll play Roland Garros at home.

What might hold him back: One issue is physical, one is mental

Physically, Fils plays all out at all times, and there’s a lot of clay left before he even gets to Paris. Last year, he won an epic at Roland Garros, but hurt his back doing it and barely played again all year.

Mentally, just like Rybakina, Fils appeared to be in total control…right before nerves caused him to lose it. Serving for the title at 5-3, he made three unforced errors and double faulted. A game later, he reached championship point three times, then tightened up again and gave the game back. Fils has swag to burn, but his future opponents will want to note how nervy he was with the title on his racquet here.

Stuttgart: Elena Rybakina d. Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1

“Standing inside the baseline, I wonder if she ever misses one of those shots.”

Those were the words of a Eurosport commentator as she watched Rybakina casually belt a forehand winner in her mostly one-sided win over Muchova.

The phrase didn’t sound ridiculous in the moment, because Rybakina was making everything look so easy. She came out with all guns blazing—nonchalantly blazing, of course—on Sunday. She hit aces, forehand winners, passing shot winners, even a volley winner from her shoetops. She built a quick 3-0 first-set lead over Muchova, and won the second set going away, just as she had against another very good dirt-baller, Mirra Andreeva, the day before. She ended with 24 winning shots to eight for Muchova, and faced just one break point.

Rybakina isn’t known as a clay-courter, mainly because she has never made it past the quarters in Paris. But she now has five titles on the surface, including one in Rome and two in Stuttgart. In fact, this is the first tournament that she has won twice, and it put her ahead of Sabalenka in the 2026 race to Riyadh.

Rybakina strengths on clay: One of the underrated requirements of being a good dirt-baller is the ability to hit the ball through the court with pace, and create your own winners from the baseline. Rybakina, when she has chance to lean into the ball, does that as well as anyone.

What might hold her back: For the first eight games of the opening set, Rybakina was in total control. Then, when she served for it at 5-3, she lost that control. Suddenly, she pulled up on those previously-perfect forehands, sent them long and wide, and was broken from out of nowhere. Getting nervous at the end of a set isn’t a clay-specific problem, but Rybakina’s opponents should remember that she isn’t always as calm as she appears.

Munich: Ben Shelton d. Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5

“I have big ambitions for the clay courts”

That’s what Shelton said after closing out his second title on the surface on Sunday. It was a strong and frankly surprising week, coming from an American. The last U.S.-born man to win in Munich was Gene Mayer in 1982. Shelton ended that 46-year run of futility by beating guys like Blockx, Fonseca, and Cobolli, all from clay-loving nations. Cobolli may not have helped his cause by returning from the farthest reaches of the court, but Shelton took full advantage by using his serve and forehand to bulldoze his way forward.

Shelton’s strengths on clay: Last year, Shelton made the Munich final, and the fourth round at Roland Garros. With his serve, he can take advantage of any dirt-baller who, like Cobolli, retreats to the hinterlands on his return. On his own return, Shelton’s opponent’s kick serves bounce into his favored high forehand. Shelton won’t out-rally many opponents, but this week he showed that his hard-court formula can translate to clay.

What might hold him back: Along with his forehand winners, Shelton also made his share of errors from that side. If you can keep him at the baseline, especially in his backhand corner, you can eventually expect an error. In short: Munich title or no, he’s still an American.