American rising star Ben Shelton is set to kick off his ATP Finals campaign on November 9, facing off against World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in Turin. The 23-year-old Shelton enters the tournament with an impressive season record of 40-21, highlighted by a landmark victory at the Canada Open, which marked his first Masters 1000 title. In addition to this achievement, he was a runner-up in Munich and reached the semifinals at prestigious events including the Australian Open, the BOSS Open, and the Mubadala Citi DC Open. These performances have bolstered Shelton’s confidence as he competes at this elite level.
Zverev also brings a solid season to the finals, sporting a 54-23 win-loss record. His accolades include winning the title in Munich, where he defeated Shelton in the final, and earning runner-up positions at the Australian Open, the Erste Bank Open, and the BOSS Open. Recently, Zverev reached the semifinals at the Paris Masters, where he lost to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, showcasing his continued competitiveness.
The upcoming match will be their fifth meeting, with Zverev currently dominating the rivalry with a commanding 4-0 record against Shelton. Their most recent clash occurred at the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals, where Zverev triumphed decisively with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline.
In terms of match details, the contest will take place on indoor hardcourt at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, and will be broadcast live on Tennis Channel, TSN, and Sky Sports.
When it comes to match predictions, Shelton’s powerful serve is expected to be a significant advantage in the indoor conditions. He has enjoyed a remarkable 87% success rate in his service games this season, making him one of the hardest players to break on tour. However, his return game has been less effective, with only a 17% success rate on returning games.
Zverev counters with an 86% success rate in servicing and a slightly more effective return game at 23%. He shows a more balanced overall performance heading into this pivotal match.
Although Shelton boasts a higher winning percentage on indoor hard courts this season, Zverev’s historical performance against him suggests a possible advantage for the German. Given Zverev’s experience in high-stakes moments, he is favored to win in a tightly contested match.
Expect both players to bring their best as they vie for a strong start at the ATP Finals.