Denis Shapovalov is finding his rhythm at the Dallas Open, a much-needed boost for the defending champion who has struggled recently. After experiencing a disappointing start to 2026 with a 1-4 record, including losses to Joao Fonseca in both Basel and Paris, as well as defeats against Raphael Collignon and Marin Cilic in Brisbane and the Australian Open respectively, Shapovalov has turned things around in Dallas. His journey in the ATP 500 event has featured victories against Rafael Jodar, Aleksandar Kovacevic, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, putting him back on course.
In the quarterfinals, Shapovalov faces Ben Shelton, a player he has met on three previous occasions, all of which resulted in defeats for the Canadian. Shelton, currently ranked ninth in the world, has an impressive 3-0 lead in their head-to-head series, with notable wins at Wimbledon in a grueling five-set match, a controversial bout in Washington where Shapovalov defaulted while ahead, and a hard-fought match at the Shanghai Masters.
This upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest, as Shapovalov enjoys competing in Dallas, and Shelton enters the tournament on the back of a successful performance at the Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. Shelton has also displayed strong form this week, defeating Gabriel Diallo, Adrian Mannarino, and Miomir Kecmanovic.
Given Shelton’s familiarity with the home crowd and his historical advantage over Shapovalov, it seems probable that the defending champion may struggle to maintain his title. The expectation is for a closely contested match, but with Shelton’s current form and confidence, many predict he will come out on top.
Prediction: Shelton in three sets.
