As the players of the ATP Tour recover from the action in Australia, some high-profile names are descending on Dallas this week for the Dallas Open. This tournament gives the players some match play as they look to build confidence before Indian Wells in March. The qualifying rounds have been completed.
The Dallas Open draw boasts a number of star names including top seed and 2022 Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz. US Open-semifinalist Frances Tiafoe is also in the draw, alongside fifth seed Denis Shapovalov who was awarded a late wild card.
The only result from day one was a three-set battle between American Jack Sock and Ilya Ivashka that went over three hours. In the end, Sock won 7-6(2) 4-6 6-4 to set up a last-16 clash with Fritz. But the main draw action is set to hot up on day two, with matches beginning at noon local time and seven Americans in action.
Dallas Open First Round Previews
Alex Rybakov vs (7) Marcos Giron
Alex Rybakov made his way through qualifying as an alternate and takes on seventh seed, Marcos Giron. Giron was most recently in action in Melbourne, where he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev in the first round.
Fernando Verdasco vs Mackenzie McDonald
Fernando Verdasco, still competing at age 39, made his way through the final round of qualifying on Monday. Verdasco will take on American Mackenzie McDonald. McDonald memorably eliminated Rafael Nadal in Melbourne, though the Spaniard was clearly struggling with injury throughout second-round encounter. McDonald was beaten in the third round by Yoshihito Nishioka.
Steve Johnson vs (8) Adrian Mannarino
Steve Johnson has been playing the challenger circuit as of late. He takes on the Frenchman and eighth seed, Adrian Mannarino. Mannarino recently made the second round of the Australian Open after defeating American John Isner. Mannarino fell in the second round to Australian Alex de Minaur.
Jordan Thompson vs Denis Kudla
Australian Jordan Thompson most recently lost in the first round at the Australian Open where he was eliminated by J.J. Wolf, who is also in this tournament. Thompson takes on American Denis Kudla. Denis Kudla made his way through qualifying down in Australia before falling in the second round.
(6) J.J. Wolf vs Brandon Holt
Ending the day session in Dallas will be sixth seed Wolf’s battle with fellow American Brandon Holt. Wolf was one of a number of Americans who made noise down in Australia. Wolf reached the fourth round down in Melbourne before losing to fellow American Ben Shelton. Brandon Holt, meanwhile, is the son of female tennis legend Tracy Austin. Holt fell in Australia to Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round. Holt also made his way through qualifiers here in Dallas winning his match yesterday.
Radu Albot vs Liam Krall
Radu Albot is the first player from Moldova to win not only an ATP singles title also their first doubles champion. Albot takes on American Liam Krall in his opener. Krall frequents the ITF futures circuit but made his way through qualifying to earn his spot in the opening round here in Dallas.
Wu Yibing vs Michael Mmoh
Wu Yibing recently made the top 100 after making the final at the Cleveland Challenger. Wu will take on American Michael Mmoh. Mmoh got to the third round down in Australia after defeating Alexander Zverev. Mmoh was defeated in the third round by fellow American J.J. Wolf.
(5) John Isner vs Chun-Hsin Tseng
Fifth seed John Isner made the semifinals here in Dallas a year ago. Isner is looking to get his season on track after an early exit down in Australia in the opening round. Isner takes on Taiwanese player Tseng Chun-Hsin. Tseng, ranked 83rd in the world, lost his opening-round match down in Australia. He was defeated by Australian player Alexei Popyrin in five sets.
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
