Dallas: Mannarino & Top Americans Shine This Week

Dallas, Texas – American Ben Shelton has advanced to the quarter-finals of the February 13, 2026 Nexo Dallas Open, securing a hard-fought victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino in a match described as a “ridiculous tennis” battle. The Thursday encounter, lasting two hours and forty minutes, concluded with a score of 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 6-3, marking Shelton’s 25th tour-level quarter-final appearance.

The win carries particular significance for the 25-year-old Shelton, representing a measure of “revenge” for his forced retirement against Mannarino during the third round of the 2025 US Open due to a leg injury. The Thursday match saw Shelton firing 23 aces and winning 77% of his first-serve points, neutralizing Mannarino’s tactical play.

“Ridiculous tennis,” Shelton said following the match. “I thought [Adrian] played at an extremely high level, I think he always does against me. We’ve had some crazy matches, last match I got injured against him at the US Open. A big battle for sure. He does a lot of things that make it very, very difficult. Especially playing him on a low-bouncing indoor court.”

The match was characterized by momentum shifts and high-quality shotmaking. Mannarino, a finalist the previous week in Montpellier, effectively absorbed Shelton’s powerful serves, highlighted by a 29-shot rally on the opening point of the first-set tie-break. However, Shelton ultimately elevated his game during crucial moments, particularly in the deciding set where he won 52% of his return points – a significant increase from the 32% and 31% achieved in the first and second sets respectively.

Mannarino pushed the match to a third set, converting his sixth set point in a dramatic fashion. He had previously squandered four set points at 6-5, two of which Shelton saved with booming aces. The Frenchman also showcased exceptional skill with a no-look, between-the-legs winner earlier in the game, a shot contender for “shot of the year.”

Shelton, currently ranked No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is seeking his fourth tour-level title at the Dallas Open. He will next face Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated either fifth seed Tommy Paul or Serb Miomir Kecmanovic in a separate match. The quarter-final lineup is shaping up to be a showcase of American talent, with several US players vying for a place in the semi-finals.

Alongside Shelton’s victory, the tournament has seen other notable results. Defending champion Denis Shapovalov cruised through his match, and former US Open champion Marin Cilic secured his first ATP Tour quarter-final appearance in twelve months, defeating Quinn 7-6(4), 6-3. Cilic has now reached 123 ATP quarter-finals, trailing only Novak Djokovic among active players.

Jack Pennington Jones, a recent graduate of Texas Christian University, has also made a significant impact, reaching the quarter-finals and representing a successful transition from the college-to-pro pipeline. He will face Cilic in the quarter-finals.

The Nexo Dallas Open, held at The Star in Frisco – the practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys – is attracting attention as an ATP 500 event. The tournament is showcasing a blend of established stars and emerging talents, promising a high level of competition as it progresses towards the final stages. The event has already seen Marin Cilic achieve his 600th tour-level win.

The quarter-final schedule also includes a match between Shapovalov and an as-yet-undetermined opponent, and a further match featuring Davidovich Fokina and Paul. The tournament is drawing considerable interest from American tennis fans, with a strong contingent of domestic players competing for the title.

Adrian Mannarino’s strong performance in Dallas follows his recent run to the final in Montpellier, demonstrating his continued competitiveness on the ATP Tour. His ability to challenge a player of Shelton’s caliber underscores his experience and tactical acumen.