Wimbledon 2024: Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (14) Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov
Date: Friday, July 5
Tournament: Wimbledon 2024
Round: Third-Round (Round of 32)
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England, United Kingdom
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: £50,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN & Tennis Channel | UK - BBC | Canada - TSN, RDS, & ESPN International | India - Star Network
Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov preview
14th seed Ben Shelton will lock horns with Denis Shapovalov in a tantalizing third-round clash at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Friday, July 5.
Shelton opened his Grasscourt Swing in Stuttgart but was ousted in the first round by a spirited James Duckworth in three sets 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3. Another shock first-round defeat followed at the Queen's Club to French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straights 6-3, 7-6 (3). Top seed in Mallorca, he dismissed Rinky Hijikata 6-4, 6-0 in the first round to pick up his first win on the grass. His run did not last long, however, as he was edged 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) by Paul Jubb in the second round.
Shelton opened his Wimbledon campaign with an epic five-set win over Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci, returning from a two-sets to one deficit to eventually trump 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He was put through an identical test in the second round by Llyod Harris, once again coming out on top 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-6 (7).
Shapovalov, meanwhile, played his first match on the grass at the Surbiton Challenger, going down to seventh seed Aleksandar Vukic in the opening round. He opened his Stuttgart campaign with a 7-6 (5), 7-5 win over Matteo Martineau, but was blown away 6-4, 6-4 in the subsequent round by an in-form Matteo Berrettini.
Shapovalov took on 19th seed Nicolas Jarry in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships. A near-perfect all-around display saw him seal an emphatic 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 win. He looked like he was coasting to another comfortable victory in the second round before Daniel Altmaier mounted a serious comeback to force a decider out of nowhere. The Canadian, however, played the crucial points better to seal the tie 7-6 (3), 6-3, 1-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov head-to-head
Ben Shelton and Denis Shapovalov have yet to face off in professional competition, so their head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Denis Shapovalov prediction
Ben Shelton hasn't had it easy at the Championships this year. He's had to overturn a two sets to one deficit in both of his matches so far to secure the win. While he's been lackluster from the baseline, his net play in particular has been a standout. He notched a 77% accuracy in his previous encounter and won a total of 75 points at the net. His serve has pulled him out of trouble quite a few times but continues to
Shapovalov on the contrary, notched a comfortable victory in his opener but was given a rude awakening in his second-round encounter. Despite being errant on the return, the Canadian's powerful serves and net play is what got him through. He hit 9 aces and 51 winners in his previous encounter just going to show how dangerous he is on the baseline.
Shelton and Shapovalov have complimentary game styles which could result in another entertaining at the Championships this year. Both of them serve big and aren't afraid to come to the net. The winner could ultimately boil down to who plays the longer rallies better from the back of the court and under pressure.
Shapovalov enters the slight favorite to make it through to the fourth round given his past experience at the All England Club.
Pick: Shapovalov in four sets.