Ben Shelton has reached the Stuttgart Open showpiece after defeating Jiri Lehecka in a thrilling semi-final bout.

The American, playing in his second match of the day on Saturday, won 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (16-14) 7-6 (8-6) after two hours and 54 minutes to set up a clash against compatriot Taylor Fritz in the final.

Shelton began the day by completing a comeback victory over qualifier Sho Shimabukuro, which ended in a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win for the first seed.

The 23-year-old would have hoped for an easier tie against Lehecka, but neither player was able to convert a break point as all three sets went to a tie-break.

Lehecka squandered the only two break points in the first, but got the better of Shelton in the tie-break as he claimed the lead with his first set point.

Momentum then seemed to swing in Shelton's favour as he brought up three break points in the second, although Lehecka held his nerve to force the tie-break.

The second set tie-break was a nail-biter, with multiple lead changes and Lehecka failing to convert two match points before Shelton finally levelled the match on his eighth set point.

The third tie-break was simpler for Shelton, who clinched victory with his second match point in Germany.

Shelton does things the hard way, again

For the third time this week, and the second time on Saturday, Shelton prevailed in a three-set contest in Stuttgart.

Not many would have expected three tie-breaks between Shelton and Lehecka in the semi-final, not to mention a 30-point tie-break in the second set, but the American continued to build his momentum ahead of Wimbledon later this month.

He fired in 21 aces to Lehecka's 17, while the pair both made double-faults as they looked to exert all their energy in holding their service games.

Shelton could now win his third title of the season, having already won in Munich and Dallas, where he defeated upcoming opponent Fritz in the final.