Jack Pinnington Jones is making some serious noise in Dallas - and not just as a feel-good story. The 22-year-old Brit is through to his first ATP Tour quarter-final, and he’s doing it the hard way, grinding through qualifiers and toppling higher-ranked opponents with the kind of composure that belies his ranking.
Let’s rewind a bit. Pinnington Jones had to win two qualifying matches just to get into the main draw at the Dallas Open.
No easy feat, but he didn’t stop there. In the first round, he stunned world No.
20 Flavio Cobolli - a win that immediately turned heads. Then came another test: American Eliot Spizzirri, ranked 68th in the world and playing on home soil.
It was a battle, but Pinnington Jones held his nerve in two tiebreaks, ultimately taking the match 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
That win sends him into the final eight, where he’ll face a major step up in competition - former US Open champion Marin Čilić. Čilić brings a wealth of experience and firepower, but right now, Pinnington Jones is playing with house money and a whole lot of confidence.
This run in Dallas is just the latest chapter in what’s been a compelling few months for the young Brit. After wrapping up his junior season at Texas Christian University in May, he made the bold call to forgo his final year of eligibility and turn pro full-time. It’s a decision that’s already starting to pay off.
January didn’t start the way he’d hoped - a quick exit in Australian Open qualifying - but he bounced back fast. A finals appearance at the Soma Bay Challenger in Egypt showed his potential, and now, with four straight wins in Dallas, he’s proving he belongs on this stage.
The rankings are starting to reflect that, too. By reaching the quarter-finals, Pinnington Jones is projected to jump 43 spots, landing at No. 138 in the world.
And if he manages to take down Čilić? He could crack the top 110 - a massive leap for a player who’s been grinding on the Challenger circuit just weeks ago.
Meanwhile, over in Qatar, the WTA side of things delivered its own shake-up. Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and top seed Iga Świątek both suffered surprise defeats at the Qatar Open.
Rybakina, ranked third in the world, was edged out in three sets by Canada’s Victoria Mboko, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. Świątek looked in control early but couldn’t hold off Maria Sakkari, who rallied to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Back in Dallas, though, all eyes - at least from a British perspective - are on Pinnington Jones. He’s riding a wave of momentum, showing grit in tight moments, and proving that rankings don’t always tell the full story.
Friday’s showdown with Čilić will be a true measuring stick, but regardless of the outcome, this week has already been a breakout moment for the 22-year-old. And if he keeps playing like this, it might just be the beginning.