Tennis fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling showdown! Ben Shelton just survived a jaw-dropping, three-set marathon at the Nexo Dallas Open, proving once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with on the ATP Tour. But here’s where it gets controversial—was it Shelton’s sheer determination or Mannarino’s tactical brilliance that stole the show? Let’s dive in.
On February 13, 2026, the second-seeded Shelton, currently ranked No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings, battled through a rollercoaster match against French lefty Adrian Mannarino, securing a hard-fought 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 6-3 victory. This win marks Shelton’s 25th tour-level quarter-final appearance and keeps him in the running for his fourth tour-level title. The match was a masterclass in resilience, with both players trading momentum in a display Shelton aptly described as 'ridiculous tennis.'
And this is the part most people miss—Mannarino, fresh off a finalist run in Montpellier, didn’t just show up; he brought his A-game. From a jaw-dropping 29-shot rally in the first-set tie-break to a no-look, between-the-legs winner that could be a shot-of-the-year contender, the 37-year-old pushed Shelton to his limits. But Shelton’s ability to raise his level in crucial moments ultimately sealed the deal after two hours and 40 minutes of intense play.
In his post-match interview, Shelton praised Mannarino’s performance, reflecting on their history of 'crazy matches,' including a US Open encounter where Shelton suffered an injury. 'He does a lot of things that make it very, very difficult, especially on a low-bouncing indoor court,' Shelton admitted. The stats tell the story: Shelton’s return game improved significantly in the decider, winning 52% of his return points compared to just 32% and 31% in the first and second sets, respectively.
This victory evens their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-3 in Mannarino’s favor, but Shelton’s focus is now on his next opponent: either fifth seed Tommy Paul or Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
Meanwhile, the tournament saw other standout performances. Defending champion Denis Shapovalov cruised past Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-4 in just 66 minutes, setting up a quarter-final clash with third seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Marin Cilic, fresh off his 600th career win, defeated Ethan Quinn 7-6(4), 6-3, advancing to his 123rd tour-level quarter-final—second only to Novak Djokovic among active players.
In a thrilling upset, British qualifier Jack Pinnington Jones outlasted Eliot Spizzirri in a three-set epic, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), to reach his first-ever tour-level quarter-final. Pinnington Jones, who turned pro last year after a standout collegiate career at Texas Christian University, now faces Cilic in what promises to be another must-watch match.
Here’s the burning question: With Shelton’s grit and Mannarino’s flair on full display, is this the year Shelton breaks through for his fourth title, or will underdogs like Pinnington Jones shake up the tournament? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—who’s your pick to take home the Nexo Dallas Open trophy?
