Basel 2024: Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Swiss Indoors
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Date: 22 October, 2024
Tournament: Swiss Indoors 2024
Round: First-round (Round of 32)
Venue: St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard-court (Indoor)
Prize Money: €2,385,100
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry preview
Sixth seed Ben Shelton is slated to open his 2024 Swiss Indoors campaign against World No. 35 Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a highly anticipated first-round encounter on Tuesday, October 22. The winner could either face local wildcard Stan Wawrinka or Adrian Mannarino next.
Shelton began the year with a semifinal run in Auckland before suffering a tough five-set defeat to Adrian Mannarino in the third round of the Australian Open. He then made the semifinals in Dallas and the quarterfinals in Acapulco in consecutive weeks.
Shelton claimed his only title of the season in Houston, defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling three-set final. He had an indifferent North American hardcourt swing, highlighted by a semifinal in Washington and a quarterfinal in Cincinnati. He failed to, however, defend his semifinal points at the US Open, exiting in the third round to Tiafoe.
In the Asian swing, Shelton made it to the quarterfinals of the Japan Open before losing to eventual champion Arthur Fils. At the Shanghai Masters, he defeated Denis Shapovalov and Roberto Carballes Baena before falling to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the third round.
Etcheverry, on the other hand, kicked off his 2024 season with a third-round appearance at the Australian Open. He followed that with consecutive quarterfinal finishes in Cordoba and Buenos Aires, and later reached the semifinals in Houston, losing to Shelton.
Etcheverry's clay court season was strong, highlighted by a runner-up finish in Lyon and a semifinal showing in Barcelona. His North American hardcourt swing, however, proved challenging, though he ended it on a positive note with a third-round run at the US Open.
His Asian swing didn’t go as planned, marked by an early exit in Tokyo and a second-round loss in Shanghai. Seeded sixth at the European Open, he was knocked out in the second round by veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry head-to-head
Ben Shelton leads Tomas Martin Etcheverry 2-0 in their head-to-head matchups, winning their previous encounter from a set down in Cincinnati earlier this year.
Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry prediction
Ben Shelton heads into Basel with a 37-23 match record for the season, looking to end the year on a strong note after a few recent setbacks. He boasts a 25-15 record on hard courts this year, along with one title, and has gone 3-2 in indoor matches.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry, meanwhile, arrives in Basel with a 28-25 record. His form on hard courts has been less impressive, with most of his success coming on clay earlier in the year. He holds a modest 9-10 record on hard courts but is 2-0 in indoor matches.
The fast indoor surface is expected to favor Shelton's powerful serve and net skills, which could be crucial in the quick points likely to unfold. With the stats in his favor, Shelton is tipped to advance comfortably in this matchup.
Pick: Shelton to win in straight sets.