Day 4 of the Dallas Open 2026, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, will see the conclusion of the second-round matches. Several seeded players have already faced early exits; notably, Flavio Cobolli and Learner Tien were eliminated in the first round. On Wednesday, Frances Tiafoe joined the list of seeded players bowing out, falling to Sebastian Korda. Meanwhile, second seed Ben Shelton and defending champion Denis Shapovalov aim to secure their spots in the quarterfinals during Thursday’s action.
Tommy Paul’s Challenge Against Miomir Kecmanovic
Tommy Paul rallied from a set down to defeat Jenson Brooksby 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in his opening match at the Dallas Open. His opponent, Miomir Kecmanovic, ended a five-match losing streak with a comeback win over Sho Shimabukuro. Kecmanovic currently holds a 3-2 lead over Paul in their head-to-head meetings. However, Kecmanovic’s recent record against top 30 players is weak, with just two wins in ten matches since early 2025, giving Paul the edge to advance.
Ben Shelton Faces Adrian Mannarino in a Key Matchup
Ben Shelton began the tournament strongly by beating Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-4. His opponent, French player Adrian Mannarino, recently finished runner-up at the Open Occitanie and won his Dallas Open opener against Adam Walton 6-4, 6-2. Mannarino leads their head-to-head 3-1, but has struggled against top 10 opponents, losing 12 of his last 13 matches in that group. Additionally, Shelton’s game suits indoor hard courts well, likely giving him the advantage in this contest.
Denis Shapovalov Looks to Defend Title Against Aleksandar Kovacevic
Defending champion Denis Shapovalov started his campaign with an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Rafael Jodar. Kovacevic advanced by defeating lucky loser Patrick Kypson 6-4, 7-6 (1). The Canadian won their only previous encounter at the Los Cabos Open 2025 final. Despite Shapovalov’s difficulty stringing consecutive wins this year, his indoor performance is often strong, which could be crucial in overcoming Kovacevic, who recently reached Brisbane’s semifinals.
Career Experience May Tip Scale Between Marin Cilic and Ethan Quinn
Both Marin Cilic and Ethan Quinn reached the second round with straight-set wins, marking an important milestone for Cilic as it was his 600th career victory. Each holds a 4-2 record for the year so far, but the experience gap is significant. Cilic has reached 117 quarterfinals in his career, while Quinn has yet to advance that far. Given this veteran advantage, Cilic is favored to move forward in the tournament.
Eliot Spizzirri to Battle Jack Pinnington Jones as Underdog
Eliot Spizzirri secured his second-round spot with a 6-2, 6-4 win over James Duckworth. His opponent, Jack Pinnington Jones, achieved a notable upset by defeating fourth seed Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-2, marking only his second main draw victory on the ATP Tour. Despite this breakthrough, Pinnington Jones remains the underdog due to limited success at the top level, positioning Spizzirri as the likely favorite in this matchup.
Day 4 Matches Set to Define Quarterfinal Lineup
The fourth day of the Dallas Open 2026 will be critical, as top contenders like Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and Denis Shapovalov aim to confirm their status in the quarterfinals. Paul’s strong form and favorable matchup suggest he is ready to assert dominance on home soil. Meanwhile, veterans like Marin Cilic and emerging players such as Eliot Spizzirri add intrigue to the draw. The outcomes on Thursday will shape the intensity and quality of the tournament’s later rounds, with fans eagerly anticipating who can capitalize on their opportunities.
