First-round action in Dallas begins Monday, culminating in a rematch between Sebastian Korda and Michael Zheng. Number 8 seed Frances Tiafoe will start his campaign against Terence Atmane.
(WC) Michael Zheng vs. Sebastian Korda
Korda and Zheng will face each other for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they compete Monday in the first round of the Dallas Open. They just faced each other in the first round of the Australian Open, where Zheng pulled off a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(0), 6-3 upset.
The reigning NCAA singles champion promptly returned to Columbia after his run Down Under, losing to Michigan freshman Max Dahlin (world No. 1294) on Saturday. Yes, life comes at you fast in this sport. Some momentum has returned for Korda. The 53rd-ranked American returned to the Challenger circuit last month and reached the final in San Diego. While it wasn’t against the toughest competition, it was in line with what Zheng has to offer. Look for Korda to get revenge in Dallas.
Choice: Korda in 3
Terence Atmane vs. (8) Frances Tiafoe
It’s way too early to give up on Atmane entirely, but at this point it appears he was a one-hit wonder in Cincinnati. The 66th-ranked Frenchman has done nothing since his breakthrough to the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters last summer. He compiled a 1-6 record in his last seven main draw matches in 2025 and is 0-2 so far this season – including a five-set loss in Melbourne to world No. 141 Francesco Maestrelli.
First up for Atmane on Monday is Tiafoe, who he has never faced before. The news isn’t exactly good for Tiafoe either. The 28-year-old American has fallen to 30th place in the rankings and comes from the second and third rounds in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively. However, so far Tiafoe has defeated all of his lower ranked opponents, losing only to Daniil Medvedev and Alex de Minaur. With the crowd firmly behind him and a struggling opponent on the other side of the net, Dallas’ No. 8 seed should cruise.
Choice: Tiafoe in 2
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