Cincinnati Open 2024: Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Alexander Zverev vs (12) Ben Shelton
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Tournament: Cincinnati Open 2024
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio, U.S.
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton preview
Third seed Alexander Zverev is set to lock horns with 12th seed Ben Shelton in a tantalizing quarterfinal clash at the 2024 Cincinnati Open on Saturday, August 17.
Zverev opened his campaign with a routine 6-3, 6-2 victory against Karen Khachanov in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round. He dominated proceedings from the back of the court and backed it up with a fine display on serve.
Zverev took on Pablo Carreno Busta in the subsequent round. Both players served well in the opener, but it was the German who bagged the first set courtesy of a late break of serve. Another brilliant display on serve saw them head into a tie-breaker in the second set. Zverev's power and accuracy proved to be a little too much to handle, with him going on to seal a 7-5, 7-6(6) win.
Shelton, meanwhile, kicked off his Cincinnati campaign against compatriot Reilly Opelka in the first round. As expected, there were zero breaks throughout the match in the battle between the big servers, with Shelton eventually coming through with a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) win.
Shelton overcame a tougher test in the subsequent round against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, clawing back from a set down to eventually seal an emphatic 6-7(6), 7-6(7), 6-3 victory. His third-round encounter against Fabian Marozsan was much more straightforward forward on the contrary, with him sealing a 6-4, 6-3 win.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton head-to-head
Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton are yet to face off in professional competition and so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton prediction
Alexander Zverev heads into his quarterfinal encounter in a rich vein of form in Cincinnati. He's seemed to have brushed off his disappointing defeat in Montreal soon enough and looks determined to add a second Western and Southern Open crown to his collection.
He's been dominant on serve so far at the event and has been incredibly consistent from the back of the court. His blistering pace has caused problems up until now and could be a very vital cog in his arsenal going forward.
Ben Shelton, on the contrary, hasn't had it easy at all, having been taken the distance in two out of his three matches so far in Cincinnati. He did, however, respond strongly in his third round with a clinical all-round performance. His unforced errors have been a cause for concern and will need to be looked at going forth.
Zverev heads into this encounter the slight favorite, given his form off late and record on hard courts. There is no discounting a surprise from Shelton, however, who is no stranger to causing upsets. It will be a battle between two big hitters from the baseline, and it could ultimately boil down to who serves better and finishes the points faster.
Pick: Zverev in three sets.