Shelton Battles Past Mannarino, Reaches Dallas Quarterfinals
Second seed Ben Shelton is one step closer to his fourth tour-level title after a hard-fought victory over Adrian Mannarino at the Nexo Dallas Open on Thursday. The American secured his 25th tour-level quarter-final appearance with a 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 6-3 win.
A Clash of Styles and Momentum
The match between Shelton and Mannarino was described as a “topsy-turvy battle” filled with impressive shotmaking. Mannarino, fresh off a finalist appearance in Montpellier, effectively countered Shelton’s powerful game. A particularly notable exchange saw a 29-shot rally on the opening point of the first-set tie-break. Shelton ultimately prevailed after two hours and 40 minutes.
Fired up 🔥@BenShelton digs deep to get past Mannarino 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 6-3.@NexoDallasOpen | #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/12YqCVFnBJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 13, 2026
Shelton Reflects on a Tricky Match
“Ridiculous tennis,” Shelton commented after the match. He acknowledged Mannarino’s high level of play, noting their history of competitive matches, including a previous encounter at the US Open where Shelton sustained an injury. He highlighted the challenges of facing Mannarino on a low-bouncing indoor court.
Mannarino’s Resilience and Shelton’s Decisive Third Set
The match saw several momentum shifts, with Mannarino forcing a deciding set after converting his sixth set point. Despite letting slip four set points earlier, and facing booming aces from Shelton, the 37-year-old remained resilient. Mannarino even showcased a remarkable shot – a no-look, between-the-legs winner. Shelton ultimately gained control in the third set, winning 52% of his return points, a significant increase from the previous sets.
Other Notable Results
Defending champion Denis Shapovalov advanced to the next round with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic, without facing a single break point. Shapovalov will next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Marin Cilic, having secured his 600th career tour-level win on Wednesday, defeated Ethan Quinn 7-6(4), 6-3, and will face British qualifier Jack Pinnington Jones. Jones secured his spot in the quarterfinals after a 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Eliot Spizzirri.
Pinnington Jones Makes History
Jack Pinnington Jones, who turned pro last year after a collegiate career at Texas Christian University, is now in his first tour-level quarter-final.
FAQ
Who did Ben Shelton defeat to reach the quarterfinals?
Ben Shelton defeated Adrian Mannarino.
Who is Denis Shapovalov’s next opponent?
Denis Shapovalov’s next opponent is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
How many career tour-level wins does Marin Cilic have?
Marin Cilic has 600 career tour-level wins.
