Tomáš Macháč defeated Kei Nishikori 6–2, 6–2 in the first round of the ATP 250 Dallas tournament on hard court. As the pre-match favourite, Macháč delivered a dominant performance, controlling both sets with considerable ease. Nishikori, competing as an underdog at 2.68 odds, found no answer to Macháč's level and was unable to mount meaningful resistance throughout the encounter. The Czech player's clinical execution on hard court underscored his growing confidence on the surface, whilst Nishikori's swift exit raises questions about his current competitive standing in early-season tournaments.