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Match Details
Fixture: (11) Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik
Date: August 7, 2024
Tournament: National Bank Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: IGA Stadium, Montreal, Canada
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,795,555
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik preview
11th seed Ben Shelton will take on Alexander Bublik in the first round of the Canadian Open 2024.
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Shelton made the semifinals in Auckland at the start of the season but couldn't make a deep run at the Australian Open, losing in the third round. He later made the last four of the Dallas Open, the quarterfinals of the Mexican Open, the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters, and the third round of the Miami Open.
Shelton kicked off his clay swing with a bang as he captured his first title on the surface in Houston. He didn't taste further success on the red dirt after that and capped off his time on clay with a third-round finish at the French Open.
The American's grass season started with two straight losses. He regrouped to make the quarterfinals of the Mallorca Championships, and the fourth round of Wimbledon, his best result at a Major this year.
Shelton opted to give the Olympics a miss despite being eligible and chose to compete in Atlanta, where he lost in the second round. He reached the semifinals of the Citi Open the following week and lost to Flavio Cobolli in three sets.
Bublik made the semifinals in Adelaide but fell in the first round of the Australian Open. He won his first title of the season at the Open Sud de France. After a quick exit from the Qatar Open, he reached his second final of the year in Dubai but lost to Ugo Humbert.
A fourth-round showing at the Madrid Open was Bublik's best result on clay this season. After a slow start on grass, he reached the third round of Wimbledon, where he lost to Tommy Paul.
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik head-to-head
Bublik leads Shelton 2-0 in the head-to-head. He won their previous encounter at this year's Madrid Open in three sets.
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik prediction
Both have a comparable win-loss record for the season. After a swift exit from the Atlanta Open, Shelton put up a respectable showing at the Citi Open. Bublik, meanwhile, hasn't competed since his Wimbledon exit.
Both of their previous matches went the distance, with Bublik coming out on top. However, both of those meetings were on clay. Shelton is at his best on hardcourts and will be keen to make an impact in his rivalry against the Kazakh.
The two look to put their opponents on the backfoot with their big serve and equally potent groundstrokes. Bublik could be a little rusty as this will be his first match in a while. Since Shelton has already gotten a headstart on his hardcourt swing, it could put him at an advantage in this match-up.
Pick: Ben Shelton to win in three sets.
