Dallas Open Round-Up | Shelton and Korda dominates first round, Cobolli falls to qualifier

The ATP 500 Dallas Open is playing its first-round matches and has already seen some early surprises, with the main stars taking the court. The first round was marked by the shocking elimination of 4th seed Flavio Cobolli, who fell to unknown qualifier Jack Pinnington Jones – a player ranked just No. 181 – as well as the eliminations of Grigor Dimitrov and Learner Tien.

On the other hand, some of the local favorites celebrated first-round wins. Frances Tiafoe came back from a set down, while Sebastian Korda secured a comfortable straight-sets victory over university player Michael Zheng. Additionally, Ben Shelton buried Canadian Gabriel Diallo in straight sets.

It was not an easy day for 8th seed Tiafoe (No. 30), who had to come from a set down to secure his triumph against Terence Atmane (No. 64). The Frenchman was impeccable on serve in the first set, giving no break opportunities to his opponent, and at the first chance he had in the match – only in the 10th game – he achieved the break that gave him the lead in the opening set 6-4.

However, Big-Foe reacted, eager to make an early impact in a home tournament. As usual for the world No. 30, he brought his best level against the American crowd and took control of the match from there. In the second set, he achieved two consecutive breaks – winning five games in a row to take the lead – before comfortably closing the set 6-2.

Atmane’s inconsistency on serve became evident again in the third set, where he surrendered two consecutive breaks at the start, falling 0-3 behind. Although the European managed to recover one break, Tiafoe accelerated and won the last three games in a row, closing the triumph 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the second round.

One who continues to search for his top form is Sebastian Korda (No. 53), who, after his run at the San Diego Challenger (where he finished as runner-up), quickly headed to Dallas to keep accumulating matches and regain rhythm at the start of the year – following a 2025 marked by injuries. He faced last year’s Australian Open surprise, Michael Zheng (No. 151), where Korda showed his superior experience to take revenge for the first-round loss in Melbourne a month ago.

Korda won an impressive 97% of points on his first serve – far above Zheng’s 65%. The former top-15 player practically gave no chances on serve, saving the only break point he faced, while converting two breaks in eight opportunities – enough to take the victory 6-3, 6-4 and sit on the verge of a return to the top-50. For that, he will need to beat his compatriot Tiafoe in the second round.

One of the most anticipated first-round matches in Dallas was the debut of local youngster Michelsen (No. 41), who is looking to regain his best form. He faced veteran Grigor Dimitrov (No. 43) – who continues to search for confidence and match rhythm after injuries kept him out for much of 2025.

The American had to come back from a set down against a persistent Dimitrov, who had the better chances in the first set and was rewarded with a late break to take the opening set 7-5. Both players remained solid on serve, alternating responsibilities: Dimitrov totaled 14 aces and won 83% of points on his first serve, against 16 aces from Michelsen, who won 76% of points on his first serve. One break in the second set and another in the third was enough for Michelsen to seal the triumph (5-7, 6-4, 6-4) and advance to the second round.

The biggest surprise of the first round was the defeat of world No. 20 Flavio Cobolli without appeal against British qualifier Jack Pinnington Jones (No. 181). The Italian was especially imprecise on serve – only 52% of first serves in, winning barely 59% of them. He faced an opponent who showed personality and a strong serve, dominating from start to finish – conceding just six points on serve throughout the match, and giving no break opportunities.

Cobolli not only had to chase his opponent throughout but also failed in key moments. Pinnington converted 4 of 5 break points in his favor, while Cobolli did not manage a single break opportunity. Both sets were almost identical: a break for the Brit in the third and seventh games of each set, along with impeccable service games, gave him the victory 6-2, 6-2 and the pass to the second round. The 22-year-old earned his first ATP-level victory after spending his career mostly in Challenger events and some ATP 250 qualifying rounds.

The crowd’s biggest favorite is probably world No. 9 Ben Shelton, who had an imposing debut against a tricky opponent in Gabriel Diallo (No. 38). The Canadian came off good feelings from the Davis Cup with Canada – where a grueling second-day victory kept them alive before winning the series against Brazil, qualifying for the second round of qualifiers.

Shelton returned to the courts after a solid Australian Open – eliminated in the quarterfinals by Jannik Sinner. This time, the American made the most of his favoritism, totaling 13 aces and winning 82% of points on his first serve. He faced a Diallo who also had over 80% effectiveness on his first serve but lacked conviction in key moments. Shelton converted two breaks in just three opportunities, while the Canadian did not achieve any breaks – in the same number of chances. The second-seeded Shelton will face the winner of Adrian Mannarino vs. Adam Walton in the second round.