Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul lead the American dream at the ATP 250 Dallas draws: what are the chances?

Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton will have all the attention considering their form.

Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul lead the American dream at the ATP 250 Dallas draws: what are the chances?

Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul (Images via On India, Tennis.com, ATP Tour)

The draws for the 2024 Dallas Open were confirmed on Sunday, and as expected, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul have been given a bye in the first round. Frenchman Adrian Mannarino has also gotten a bye in the first round. 

The American trio of Tiafoe, Paul, and Shelton will have the responsibility to lead the American dream at the ATP 250 tournament.

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Being the top seed, Tiafoe will have the burden of expectations, but Ben Shelton will be the player to watch out for considering his performances in the last few tournaments he has played. Paul will also be expected to shine on his debut at the ATP 250 tournament. 

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In the draws revealed on Sunday, all four top seeds have been handed a bye in the first round. Tiafoe is the top seed and might meet a qualifier or Alex Michelsen in the second round. Paul, the second seed at the Dallas Open, will meet either Constant Lestiene or Taro Daniel in the second round. Meanwhile, Ben Shelton, the third seed, is expected to meet a qualifier, Michael Mmoh, in the second round. 

Veteran Adrian Mannarino, the fourth seed at the ATP 250 event, may face Pedro Martinez or Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round.

What can be expected from the top three Americans at their home tournament: the Dallas Open?

Like other US-based tennis tournaments, the Dallas Open is also played on hardcourt, and hence the expectations from the likes of Ben Shelton are manifold.

Counted among the fastest serves in the current lot, Shelton is expected to go the distance, even if it is his debut at the ATP 250 tournament. 

(L) Ben Shelton, (R) Frances Tiafoe
(L) Ben Shelton; (R) Frances Tiafoe (Via NJ.com/The New York times)

Shelton had reached the semifinals of the 2023 US Open and also won his maiden title in Japan. Although Shelton has not started the 2024 season as he would have expected, the 21-year-old has managed four wins in seven matches played so far. If he manages to win in the second round and then in the quarters, Shelton might get a chance to avenge his defeat to Adrian Mannarino at the 2024 Australian Open. 

Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe, a quarterfinalist in last year’s Dallas Open, is one of the most electric players on tour. Known for his style and athleticism, Tiafoe is expected to reach the final. A title will be the cherry on top for the American, who had a rough ending to the 2023 season. The new coaching team might also come in handy for Tiafoe.

For Tommy Paul, things need to fall into place, and this might be the tournament that can get the 26-year-old started. Paul has had a decent start to the 2024 season, having won three out of the five matches played. He is expected to reach the semifinals at the very least, if not win the title. 

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