The top two highest-ranked Americans will be in action on Day 2 of the ATP Dallas Open. Ben Shelton bids to win his first Tour-level hard-court title on home soil against the big-hitting Gabriel Diallo. Who will reach the next round?
ATP Dallas Day 2 Predictions
Taylor Fritz vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Fritz 8-2 Giron
Fritz has been open about his knee issue for a while, but for how long can he manage it? February is usually an important month for him, with multiple tournaments on home soil, so he won’t get an extended period of recuperation. Giron has beaten Fritz twice in ten meetings, but one of those victories was in Dallas four years ago in a three-set thriller. The longer this match goes, Giron will look to capitalize on Fritz’s hampered movement.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: Opelka 1-0 Kovacevic
Kovacevic lost in the second round in each of his last two indoor tournaments after the Australian Open. Opelka’s last match was in Melbourne, where he lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in five sets. Opelka won their lone ATP meeting in Atlanta in 2024. There will be tight service games and sets, but Opelka still has indoor control over most players.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Rafael Jodar vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is as tough as it can get for Shapovalov to kick off his title defense. He’s had an inconsistent start to the new season, losing early in each of the two tournaments on Australian soil. And now he’s up against one of the tour’s fastest rising young players. Jodar is playing in his first tour-level match outside a Grand Slam, but he’s certainly ready for this occasion with plenty of Challenger-level experience to spring the upset here.
Prediction: Jodar in 2
Ben Shelton vs Gabriel Diallo
Head-to-head: Shelton 1-1 Diallo
Shelton had instant success when he burst onto the scene on the Challenger level four seasons ago. But he’s not lifted a hard-court title on home turf. This could be his moment. He was a semifinalist on debut back in 2024. After an early loss in Auckland, Shelton played very well at the Australian Open (quarterfinalist). Gabriel Diallo will look to rack up the ace count here because Shelton’s tactical nous and sheer variety of the slice completely neutralize his power. The edge is with the American.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images