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Match Details
Fixture: (8) Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka
Date: September 26, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - DAZN
Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka preview
Eighth seed Ben Shelton will lock horns with compatriot Reilly Opelka in an All-American first-round clash at the 2024 Japan Open on Thursday, September 26.
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Shelton entered Tokyo with a 33-21 match record for the season, including the title in Houston, where he defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a tight three-set match. He also reached the semifinals in Auckland and Dallas during the first half of the season. He returned to some of his best form during the North American hardcourt swing.
Shelton reached the semifinals in Washington and the quarterfinals in Cincinnati before suffering a disappointing third-round loss to Tiafoe in New York. At the Laver Cup last week, he went 1-1 in singles competition, losing to Carlos Alcaraz on day 2 but defeating Daniil Medvedev the following day. He also finished 2-1 in doubles play.
Opelka has compiled a 7-6 match record this year. He returned to the ATP tour in mid-July this year after an eight-month hiatus due to hip and wrist surgery. He made it to the semifinals in his first tournament at the 2024 Hall of Fame Open beating top seed Adrian Mannarino before succumbing to compatriot Alex Michelsen.
Opelka travelled to Atlanta and Washington was next where he reached the second rounds. He has since failed to win a single match on tour, losing in the opening rounds in Cincinnati, Winston-Salem, New York, and Hangzhou last week. He represented the United States in Davis Cup group stage action in September and won both his singles matches in epic three-setters against Germany's Henri Squire and Chile's Cristian Garin.
Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka head-to-head
Ben Shelton edges Reiley Opelka 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning their only encounter 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in Cincinnati earlier this year.
Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka prediction
Ben Shelton enters this encounter as the overwhelming favorite, given his superior recent form and longevity on tour this season. He will be eager to finish the 2024 season on a high note, as he did last year, after a disappointing end to his US Open and Laver Cup campaigns.
In contrast, Opelka has scarcely competed this season but has impressed even in limited appearances. However, he is currently on a four-match losing streak on the ATP Tour and might find it challenging to break this rut against an in-form Shelton.
In what will be a battle between two top servers, it might have plenty of aces and very few breaks of serve. Attacking the net often and keeping points short will also be the order of play from both sides.
Their previous encounter in Cincinnati went to two tie-break sets, and this match might head in a similar direction. However, Tokyo's slightly slower hard courts should favor the younger American who enters with better defensive skills and a wider array of shots.
Pick: Shelton in straight sets.
