The Dallas Open turned into a graveyard for American tennis stars on Thursday, as top names Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe all suffered shocking exits. While the third-seeded Tommy Paul battled his way into the quarterfinals, he now stands as the last American hope in a tournament that was expected to be dominated by homegrown talent.
Paul Survives a Scare Against Close Friend Quinn
Defending champion Tommy Paul had to dig deep to overcome a spirited challenge from Ethan Quinn, eventually winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a tense battle.
Paul appeared to be in cruise control, serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but a sudden collapse saw him lose four straight points after leading 30-0, allowing Quinn to steal the set and force a decider.
However, Paul regained his composure in the final set, avoiding another meltdown when serving for the match a second time. Now, he turns his focus to a highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown with Reilly Opelka.
Opelka Overcomes Norrie Amid Umpire Controversy
Reilly Opelka’s win over Cameron Norrie wasn’t just about tennis—it was about drama. The big-serving American fired 18 aces on his way to a 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory, but the real fireworks came when he clashed with chair umpire Greg Allensworth over a disruptive fan.
After receiving a penalty for an on-court outburst, Opelka launched a scathing attack on Allensworth, calling him “the worst umpire on tour” and accusing him of losing control of the match. His comments will likely lead to a fine, but for now, he’s locked in on his next challenge—facing defending champion Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals.
Fritz Falls as Shapovalov Ends Top 10 Drought
It was a night to forget for Taylor Fritz, who crashed out in three sets to Denis Shapovalov, losing 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(2).
The Canadian produced a vintage display, smashing 15 aces and saving 7 of 9 break points, marking his first top-10 victory since 2022—which, ironically, also came against Fritz en route to the Vienna final.
Shapovalov now faces sixth seed Tomas Machac as he looks to build on his newfound momentum.
Tiafoe and Shelton Exit as Ruud Remains Unshaken
The American meltdown continued as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe both suffered early exits.
- Shelton was taken down in straight sets by Jaume Munar 6-2, 7-6, failing to impose his aggressive baseline game.
- Tiafoe started strong against Yoshihito Nishioka, winning the first set 6-3, but couldn’t sustain his level as the Japanese star turned the match around, winning 4-6, 3-6.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud was one of the few top seeds who survived the chaos, cruising past Michael Mmoh to secure a quarterfinal spot against Nishioka.
Only One American Left Standing
Despite the strong American presence in the draw, Tommy Paul is now the last U.S. player standing heading into the quarterfinals. The Dallas Open had been expected to showcase American dominance, but instead, international challengers have stolen the spotlight.
Can Paul carry the torch for American tennis and defend his title? Or will the wave of upsets continue to shake up the tournament?
One thing’s for sure—Dallas has been full of surprises, and the drama is far from over.
