Citi Open 2024: Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima
Date: August 2, 2024
Tournament: Mubadala Citi DC Open
Round: Third round
Venue: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, Washington DC
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $368,585
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel (USA) | TSN (Canada) | Sky Sports (UK)
Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima preview
Second seed Ben Shelton will take on Brandon Nakashima in the third round of the Citi Open on Thursday.
Shelton has been one of the sharpest players on the men's tour in the last two years. He's made a propitious start to the season by chalking up 24 wins from 40 matches so far, including a title-winning run at the U.S Men's Claycourt Championships in Houston. He also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The American entered Washington after a shocking second round exit in Atlanta at the hands of Juncheng Shang. He steadied the ship in the second round of the Citi Open with a splendid three-set win over Radu Albot, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Meanwhile, Brandon Nakashima, has played a considerable amount of tennis on the ATP Challenger circuit and the main tour this year. He's registered a semifinal appearance run in Stuttgart and also reached the third round of the Wimbledon Championships, where he lost to Ugo Humbert.
The American entered Washington after a first round exit in Atlanta at the hands of Mackenzie McDonald. He started his campaign by cruising past Christopher Oconnell in the second round, 6-2, 6-2. Nakashima will be hoping to present a strong challenge to Shelton next.
Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima head-to-head
Shelton leads the head-to-head against Nakashima 1-0. He defeated Nakashima recently in the 2024 U.S. Men's Claycourt Championships in Houston.
Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima prediction
Ben Shelton has worked towards putting up consistent performances on the main tour this year. He announced himself at the 2023 Australian Open and is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with on the Tour. The American won 79% of his first serve points against Albot and conceded just three break points during the entire match.
Nakashima, meanwhile, clinched the Tenerife Challenger in January alongside his other healthy results on the main tour. He's been one of the busiest players on tour with more than 65 matches under his belt this year. The American put up a flawless performance against Oconnell in the previous round and won 93.1% of his first serve points against the Australian.
An interesting battle between Shelton's power and Nakshima's resilience is on the cards in Washington. Both players have a steady all-around with Shelton possessing the killer intinct to convert his half chances more often than his opposite number. If the youngster begins well, he should be able to outmuscle his opponent.
Pick: Shelton to win in three sets.