Ben Shelton advanced to the quarterfinals of the Nexo Dallas Open with a hard-fought three-set victory over Adrian Mannarino. The American dedicated the win to his grandmother, who is battling health issues. Shelton's emotional message highlighted the personal stakes behind his on-court performance.
Ben Shelton secured a dramatic 7-6(2), 6(4)-7, 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino at the Nexo Dallas Open on February 13, 2026, reaching his 25th ATP Tour-level quarterfinal. The match, lasting over two and a half hours, featured intense rallies, including a 29-shot exchange to start the first-set tie-break and a no-look tweener winner from Mannarino that stood out as a highlight.
Shelton, who improved to 7-2 for the 2026 season, acknowledged the challenge posed by the French left-hander, whom he now trails 2-3 in their head-to-head record. 'I knew it was going to be a battle,' Shelton said in his on-court interview. He praised Mannarino's high level of play, noting their history of competitive matches, including one where Shelton was injured at the US Open. 'Ridiculous tennis,' Shelton added, describing the encounter. The slower indoor surface in Dallas amplified Mannarino's flat strokes, forcing Shelton to adjust his aggressive style. In the third set, Shelton won 52% of his return points, up from 32% and 31% in the earlier sets, which proved decisive.
After the match, Shelton revealed the emotional drive behind his effort. 'This one’s for my grandmother. She’s been fighting hard, and I was trying to fight hard out here on the court as well,' he shared. This dedication reframed the victory, blending professional achievement with family support. Shelton has previously spoken about the importance of family during the ATP schedule, as seen in his comments from last year's Wimbledon.
Shelton will next face Miomir Kecmanović, who defeated Tommy Paul, in the quarterfinals. This marks Shelton's second Dallas quarterfinal appearance.
