No. 2 seed Ben Shelton kicks off his Nexo Dallas Open campaign against Gabriel Diallo on Tuesday. Compatriot Alex Michelsen will face veteran Grigor Dimitrov in the first round of this ATP 500 tournament.
(2) Ben Shelton vs. Gabriel Diallo
Ben Shelton, who enters this week after a run to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, will look to improve on his second-round performance at this event last year. The American has the right kind of game to play well on the fast courts in Dallas and the only other time they played he defeated Gabriel Diallo with ease.
Diallo has had a terrible start to the year. The Canadian has won two matches in four events played, although his first-round elimination at the Australian Open is understandable as he ran into eventual semi-finalist Alexander Zverev. Shelton should have no problem reaching the second round.
Cheryl pick: Shelton in 2
Ricky pick: Shelton in 2
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Alex Michelsen
Grigor Dimitrov will look to right the ship after a disappointing start to the 2026 season. The world number 43 lost in the first round at the Australian Open to Tomas Machac after winning just one match at the Aussie Open tune-up event in Brisbane.
Dimitrov’s opponent in the first round is 41st-ranked Alex Michelsen, an American with a lot of potential but still waiting for his first big break. Dimitrov suffered a serious pectoral tear at Wimbledon last summer and has only just returned to fitness after missing almost the entire second half of 2025. Given the Bulgarian’s slow recovery, this is a winnable match for Michelsen.
Cheryl pick: Michelsen in 2
Ricky choice: Michelsen in 3
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