Queen's Club 2024: Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick | Cinch Championships
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Tournament: 2024 Cinch Championships
Venue: The Queen's Club, London, United Kingdom
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: €2,411,390
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Tennis Channel & BBC TV | Canada - TSN+
Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard preview
Sixth seed Ben Shelton is slated to open his 2024 Cinch Championships campaign against French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round on Tuesday, June 18.
Shelton started off his 2024 campaign impressively, reaching the semifinals in Auckland and the third round in Melbourne. He reached the last four in Dallas too before going on to lift his second ATP title in Houston on the back of an emphatic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win over compatriot Frances Tiafoe.
Shelton's clay court swing didn't bear as much fruit with him managing to conjure up a paltry 4-4 match record. He played his first match on grass last week in Stuttgart, going down to James Duckworth in the first round in three sets.
Mpetshi Perricard, on the contrary, has primarily featured on the challenger circuit with three titles to his name already this year. He broke onto the scene in his hometown of Lyon earlier this year, picking up the ATP 250 title in just his fourth tour-level event. He saw off Lorenzo Sonego, Hugo Gaston, and Alexander Bublik, before seeing off Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a three-set epic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(7) in the summit clash.
Mpetshi Perricard has already kicked off his campaign in Queens having ploughed through the qualifiers to make it into the main draw. Seeded second, he opened with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Aleksandar Vukic. He survived another three-setter in the following round against eighth seed Zizou Bergs to make just his seventh ATP main draw.
Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard head-to-head
Ben Shelton and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard are yet to face off on the ATP tour and so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard prediction
The exuberance of youth will certainly be on display when Ben Shelton and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard lock horns in Queens.
Shelton opened the 2024 season in scintillating fashion, but his form has dipped since the turn of the clay court swing. His first match on grass in Stuttgart last week was marred with inconsistent play from the back of the court and poor serving on decisive points. His net play, however, has been extremely effective, like it has all season.
Mpetshi Perricard, meanwhile, has excited everyone with every match he's played on the ATP tour this season. His maturity in particular has been impressive for someone who is just 20 years old. He's looked good on the grass despite minor hiccups.
While Shelton walks into this encounter the favorite to go through, there is no discounting an upset from the French youngster. Big serves and approaching the net regularly should pay dividends and the player who does it more should win the match.
Pick: Shelton in three sets.