First-round action in Dallas gets underway on Monday, highlighted by a rematch between Sebastian Korda and Michael Zheng. No. 8 seed Frances Tiafoe will kick off his campaign against Terence Atmane.
(WC) Michael Zheng vs. Sebastian Korda
Korda and Zheng will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they clash in round one of the Dallas Open on Monday. 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 went back to Columbia following his run Down Under and lost to Michigan freshman Max Dahlin (world No. 1294) on Saturday. Yes, life comes at you fast in this sport. For Korda, some momentum has returned. The 53rd-ranked American went back to Challenger circuit last month and reached the final in San Diego. Although it wasn’t against the toughest competition, it was along the lines of what Zheng brings to the table. Look for Korda to get some revenge in Dallas.
Pick: Korda in 3
Terence Atmane vs. (8) Frances Tiafoe
It is way too early to completely give up on Atmane, but at the moment it looks like he was a one-hit wonder in Cincinnati. The 66th-ranked Frenchman has done nothing since his breakout run to the semifinals 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 at the hands of world No. 141 Francesco Maestrelli.
Up first for Atmane on Monday is Tiafoe, whom he has never faced. The news is not exactly good for Tiafoe, either. The 28-year-old American has plunged to 30th in the rankings and is coming off second-round and third-round exits in Brisbane and Melbourne, respectively. So far, though, Tiafoe has defeated all of his lower-ranked opponents and has lost 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.
Pick: Tiafoe in 2