ATP Dallas Open: Top Seeds Paul, Shelton Advance to Quarterfinals

DALLAS, Texas — The ATP Dallas Open saw intense second-round action on day four, with top seeds Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton securing their spots in the quarterfinals. The tournament, held at the Ford Center at The Star, featured thrilling matches as players battled for a place in the next round.

Third-seeded Tommy Paul, the defending champion, overcame a nervy start against Jenson Brooksby in the first round and continued his momentum with a straight-sets victory over rising American Ethan Quinn. Paul, ranked No. 12, showcased his experience and composure, winning 6-4, 6-3. Quinn, who had not dropped a set in his previous matches, struggled to match Paul’s consistency. “I knew Ethan was playing well, so I had to stay focused and take my chances,” Paul said after the match.

Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton faced a tough challenge from Spain’s Jaume Munar, who has been in fine form on hard courts. Shelton, known for his powerful serve, won 90% of points behind his first serve and edged out Munar in a tightly contested match, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3. “Jaume played some incredible defense, but I stayed patient and trusted my game,” Shelton remarked.

In other matches, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his strong run with a straight-sets victory over Matteo Arnaldi. Fokina, who has yet to be broken in the tournament, displayed confidence and precision, winning 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile, Tomas Machac delivered a dominant performance against Rinky Hijikata, avenging last year’s loss in Adelaide with a 6-4, 6-3 win.

The Dallas Open, part of the ATP 500 series, has drawn attention for its competitive field and high-quality matches. With the quarterfinals set, fans are eager to see if Paul and Shelton can continue their quest for the title. The tournament runs through Sunday, with the winner taking home a share of the $2.76 million prize pool.