Shanghai Masters 2024: Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Jannik Sinner vs (16) Ben Shelton
Date: 9 October 2024
Tournament: Shanghai Masters 2024
Round: Fourth round (Round of 16)
Venue: Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, Shanghai, China
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard-court (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $8,995,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN | India - Sony
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton preview
Top seed Jannik Sinner will lock horns with 16th seed Ben Shelton in arguably one of the biggest fourth-round clashes at the 2024 Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, 9 October.
Sinner began his campaign in Shanghai with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over Taro Daniel in the second round, following a first-round bye. He then faced Tomas Martin Etcheverry in an epic third-round clash. The first set saw both players excel on serve, pushing the opener into a tiebreak. Etcheverry edged Sinner in the tiebreak, displaying impressive defense before sealing the set with a scoring forehand that forced an error from Sinner at the net.
Sinner responded strongly in the second set, breaking Etcheverry in the fifth game with a blistering forehand down the line. That break proved crucial as he went on to comfortably serve out the set. In the decider, Sinner broke a fatigued Etcheverry in the opening game and never looked back. Another break in the seventh game allowed him to close the match, securing a hard-fought 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Ben Shelton also received a first-round bye and began his Shanghai Masters campaign with a solid 6-3, 7-5 victory over Denis Shapovalov in the second round. In the third round, he faced Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena. He took control early, breaking Baena's serve in the sixth game with a delicate forehand drop shot, followed by two scorching winners. That single break was enough, as he comfortably served out the set to love.
The second set began evenly, with both players holding serve through the first six games. Shelton fought back from 0-30 in the seventh game, breaking Baena with some blistering baseline play. From there, he dominated, serving out a commanding 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton head-to-head
Jannik Sinner leads Ben Shelton 3-1 in their head-to-head and won their most recent encounter 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(9) at Wimbledon earlier this year. He also leads 2-1 on the hardcourts.
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton prediction
Jannik Sinner entered the Shanghai Masters with an impressive 59-6 match record for the season and six titles to his name, including significant wins in Melbourne, New York, Miami, and Cincinnati. His most recent appearance was at the China Open, where he fell in a thrilling final to arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, losing after being up a set in a dramatic conclusion.
Ben Shelton on the contrary arrived in Shanghai with a 35-22 record for the year, highlighted by his title win in Houston, where he defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the final. His most recent appearance was at the Japan Open, where he suffered a disappointing quarterfinal loss to Arthur Fils, failing to defend his title.
While the matchup promises excitement, Sinner enters as the clear favorite to emerge victorious, with the odds and stats firmly in his favor.
Sinner boasts a stellar 41-3 record on hardcourts this season, compared to Shelton’s 25-14. He has not lost a single fourth-round match this year, with quarterfinals being his lowest finish, while Shelton has struggled with consistency, aiming for his ninth quarterfinal appearance of the season. Sinner also holds a clear advantage in Masters 1000 events this year.
Pick: Sinner to win in straight sets.