Tommy Paul continued his title defense at the 2025 Dallas Open, edging out compatriot Ethan Quinn on Thursday night to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 tournament. The reigning champion saw off Quinn by the narrowest of margins, delivering a hard-fought victory of 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 amid what was described as an upset-filled day for American tennis.
Paul, the third seed and currently ranked ninth globally, faced some struggles during the match. He found himself serving for the match at 5-4 during the second set but faltered under pressure, relinquishing four consecutive points after having established a 30/0 lead. This slip allowed Quinn, the 20-year-old NCAA singles champion, to take the next two games and force a decisive third set. Nevertheless, Paul regrouped and managed to close out the match after two hours and 13 minutes of competitive tennis, proving his mettle on court.
After the match, Paul acknowledged the importance of such key moments, stating, “I’ve been in these situations a little bit more. I felt a little more comfortable probably. That’s how you win the big matches, being more effective during pivotal moments.” His next challenge is Reilly Opelka, another American who battled past Cameron Norrie, showcasing his power by hitting 18 aces during their match.
The Dallas Open has already yielded some surprising results, with fifth-seed Frances Tiafoe and fourth-seed Ben Shelton tumbling out of the tournament. Tiafoe fell to Yoshihito Nishioka, who ended his 16-match losing streak against Top 20 players by winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Meanwhile, Jaume Munar issued his own upset by defeating Shelton 6-2, 7-6(3), marking his second victory this season against Top 20 players.
Munar attributed his performance to his recent work on aggression and confidence: “I feel like everything is paying off now, but I’ve been working since two, three years ago on many things. I’ve been changing my game, trying to be more aggressive...I feel like I’m starting to be confident in it.” The Spaniard will next face Matteo Arnaldi, who has advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-3.
Second seed Casper Ruud, aiming to recapture the momentum after clinching the title at the 2022 San Diego Open, dispatched American qualifier Michael Mmoh with ease, winning 6-1, 6-4. Ruud commented on his performance, stating, “The plan was to step up and play more aggressively than the first round and I think I did well.” Ruud will face Nishioka next.
Ethan Quinn, reflecting on his match against Paul, spoke about the challenge of playing against someone he admires. “I need to make sure I go in knowing I obviously admire Tommy, but I’ve got to make sure my admiration doesn’t get in the way of my own success,” he remarked before the match. The young player’s path to this second-round clash added tension, as he was previously unsure of his readiness for the professional tour after facing early career struggles.
Although Quinn fell to Paul, his recent performances have been encouraging, with consistent showings throughout the tournament. He came through qualifying rounds before securing his place against Paul by defeating wild card Trevor Svajda, 6-4, 6-2 earlier in the tournament.
The excitement and unpredictability of the Dallas Open are palpable, with numerous matches lined up each day and compelling narratives forming around these up-and-coming stars. The tournament continues to serve as a platform for young talent, and many eyes are on the remaining American players who hope to make their marks as the event progresses.
With Day 4 expected to include several high-stakes matches, including top players like Taylor Fritz, who faces off against Denis Shapovalov, and Tommy Paul’s next encounter with Opelka, tennis fans can anticipate more thrilling action and dramatic moments at the Dallas Open.
Fans can catch the matches through various sports networks; the tournament is available for viewing on channels like Tennis Channel in the US and Sky Sports Tennis in the UK. Central Court matches are set to begin at 12 PM local time, with plenty of action to follow throughout the day, ensuring both thrilling matches and dramatic upsets.