Basel 2024: Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Swiss Indoors
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Ben Shelton vs (7) Arthur Fils
Date: 26 October, 2024
Tournament: Swiss Indoors 2024
Round: Semi-final
Venue: St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Prize Money: €2,385,100
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils preview
Sixth seed Ben Shelton and seventh seed Arthur Fils are set for a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2024 Swiss Indoors on Saturday, October 26.
Shelton arrived in Basel after a challenging few weeks, with a quarterfinal exit in Tokyo and a third-round loss in Shanghai. However, he has found his stride this week and is chasing his second title of the season.
Shelton opened his campaign with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry, followed by a gritty 7-6(2), 7-5 victory over three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. He faced a tough test in the quarterfinals against top seed Andrey Rublev but emerged victorious in a thrilling decider, winning 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4.
Fils, meanwhile, captured the title in Tokyo earlier this month but fell in his opening match in Shanghai where he featured last. He has, however, returned to top form in Basel this week, advancing to the semifinals without dropping a set.
Fils began his campaign with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier, followed by a hard-fought 7-5, 6-3 victory against Pedro Martinez. In the quarterfinals, he showcased some of his best all-court tennis to see off third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils head-to-head
Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils have faced off twice on tour and have split their head-to-head meetings at 1-1. Fils won their most recent encounter in a three-set epic in Tokyo earlier this year, while Shelton prevailed in their first encounter at the Laver Cup last year.
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Ben Shelton vs Arthur Fils prediction
Ben Shelton won 73% of first-serve points, hit 13 aces, and saved all six break points he faced on serve in his previous encounter. He was strong on the return as well, converting both break-point opportunities he earned. He also won 70% of points at the net and hit 26 winners to 25 unforced errors.
Arthur Fils, meanwhile, delivered an outstanding serving clinic in his last match, winning 88% of first-serve points, hitting 10 aces, and not facing a single break point all match. He also won 83% of his net points and hit 24 winners against 18 unforced errors, in a match he dominated for the most part.
With both players known for their powerful serves, breaks are expected to be rare, likely leading to tie-breaks—just as in their previous Tokyo clash, which featured two tie-breaks and a 7-5 set. While Shelton’s recent form has been less consistent, Fils enters this contest on a 13-match winning streak in ATP 500 tournaments, showing no signs of slowing down.
The indoor hard courts should benefit both players’ blistering game styles, but Fils’ current form could give him the edge in this encounter.
Pick: Fils in three sets.