Canadian Open 2024: Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (11) Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin
Date: August 8, 2024
Tournament: National Bank Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 32)
Venue: IGA Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin preview
11th seed Ben Shelton will take on Alexei Popyrin in the second round of the Canadian Open 2024.
Shelton was drawn against World No. 25 Alexander Bublik in the first round. The American went down a break to trail 3-1 in the opening set. He broke back in the nick of time as he stopped his opponent from serving out the set at 5-4. He carried this momentum to force a tie-break and came out on top to take the set.
Shelton had the upper hand in the second set and broke Bublik's serve twice to secure a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win. The two teamed up to compete in doubles after that but lost their first-round contest against Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper 7-6 (2), 6-1.
Popyrin was up against Tomas Machac in his opener, who won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The Australian secured a break of serve right off the bat and jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first set.
Popyrin maintained the headstart until the end to clinch the set. He overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second set by going on a four-game run to lead 4-2. He kept Machac at bay after that to score a 6-3, 6-4 win.
Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin head-to-head
Shelton leads Popyrin 1-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter in the third round of last year's Australian Open in straight sets.
Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Alexei Popyrin prediction
After he nabbed a close first set, Shelton raised his level to run away with the match. His win over Bublik was only his fourth over a top-30 player this season, and second on hardcourts. The American blasted 30 winners in contrast to 11 unforced errors and won 74 percent of his first serve points.
Popyrin dented Machac's Olympic high to oust him in the first round. He only lost one point on his first serve and struck 18 winners. The Australian is 1-6 against top 20 players this season, with his lone win coming on clay against Andrey Rublev, who was in the middle of a rough patch.
Shelton's previous and only win over Popyrin came at the latter's home Slam, the Australian Open. It was a competitive match despite the straight-sets scoreline. The American could be put to the test once again but he should be able to ace it to continue his journey here.
Pick: Ben Shelton to win in straight sets.