Citi Open 2024: Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (2) Ben Shelton vs (10) Flavio Cobolli
Date: August 3, 2024
Tournament: Mubadala Citi DC Open
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, Washington D.C
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $368,585
Live Telecast: Tennis Channel (USA) | TSN (Canada) | Sky Sports (UK)
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli preview
Second seed Ben Shelton will take on Flavio Cobolli in the semifinals of the Citi Open on Friday.
Shelton has been constantly improving his game on the men's tour. After a strong finish to the season last year, he has chalked up 26 wins from 42 matches so far in 2024. The youngster put up an outstanding performance on clay by clinching the U.S. Men's Claycourt Championships in Houston and reached the third round of the French Open where he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Shelton entered the Citi Open after a first-round exit in Atlanta. He started his campaign with a hardfought win over Radu Albot in the first round and then edged past Brandon Nakashima and Denis Shapovalov en route to the semifinals. The American was handed the checkmark against Shapovalov at 7-6(5), 6-6 ahead in the second set after the latter was defaulted due to inappropriate behaviour with a spectator.
Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli has also had a promising season so far, amassing 24 wins from 43 matches including a semifinal appearance at the Geneva Open. He reached the quarterfinals of the Open Su De France, Delray Beach Open and the Eastbourne International where he lost to Billy Harris in a three-set bout.
The Italian entered Washington after a second-round exit in Umag. He started his campaign with emphatic wins over David Goffin and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain. He then outsmarted Alex Michelson in the quarterfinals in two hours and 39 minutes, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(2).
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli head-to-head
Cobolli leads the head-to-head against Shelton 1-0. He defeated the American at the 2024 Geneva Open in May.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli prediction
Ben Shelton has a great chance to win his second title of the season in Washington. The American reached the semifinals of the US Open last year and will be pleased to kick-off his preparations for 2024 with a valuable run. His snappy reflexes and bolting serve have caused a lot of problems for his opponents at the Citi Open.
Cobolli, meanwhile, has surprised observers with his impressive performances this season. The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent players on tour and is close to winning his first ATP title. He likes to play an aggressive brand of tennis and has smart game management skills on court.
Considering their recent results on tour and skill-sets on hard courts, Shelton will be a slight favorite to come out on top. The American will need to bring his A-game to the fore and keep a sticky opponent like Cobolli under pressure at all times. He might just have enough in the tank to cross the finish line first and enter the finals.
Pick: Shelton to win in three-sets.