Ben Shelton Battles Past Mannarino, Reaches Dallas Quarterfinals

Second seed Shelton secures 25th tour-level quarterfinal appearance with a hard-fought victory over Mannarino.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Second seed Ben Shelton is one step closer to his fourth tour-level title after a hard-fought 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Adrian Mannarino at the Nexo Dallas Open on Thursday. The match was described as a 'topsy-turvy battle' filled with impressive shotmaking, with Mannarino effectively countering Shelton's powerful game before the American gained control in the decisive third set.

Why it matters

Shelton's victory marks his 25th tour-level quarterfinal appearance, showcasing his continued success on the ATP Tour. The match also highlighted the competitive nature of the Dallas Open, with several other notable results, including defending champion Denis Shapovalov's straight-sets win and Marin Cilic's 600th career tour-level victory.

The details

Shelton and Mannarino engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with Mannarino forcing a deciding set after converting his sixth set point in the second-set tiebreaker. Despite facing booming aces from Shelton, Mannarino remained resilient, even showcasing a remarkable between-the-legs winner. Shelton ultimately gained control in the third set, winning 52% of his return points, a significant increase from the previous sets.

  • The match between Shelton and Mannarino took place on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Ben Shelton

A second-seed American tennis player who is one step closer to his fourth tour-level title.

Adrian Mannarino

A French tennis player who effectively countered Shelton's powerful game before ultimately falling in the three-set match.

Denis Shapovalov

The defending champion of the Nexo Dallas Open, who advanced to the next round with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Marin Cilic

A veteran tennis player who secured his 600th career tour-level win on Wednesday and defeated Ethan Quinn in the Dallas Open.

Jack Pinnington Jones

A British qualifier who secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the Dallas Open, marking his first tour-level quarterfinal appearance.

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What they’re saying

“Ridiculous tennis”

— Ben Shelton

What’s next

Shelton will face his next opponent in the quarterfinals of the Nexo Dallas Open, as he continues his pursuit of his fourth tour-level title.

The takeaway

Shelton's hard-fought victory over Mannarino showcases his resilience and ability to adapt on the ATP Tour, as he navigates the competitive landscape of the Dallas Open. The tournament has also seen several other notable results, highlighting the depth of talent and the continued growth of professional tennis.