PREVIEW: ATP Tour 2024 – Shanghai Masters – Selected RO 64 matches

Ben Shelton 54/100 | Denis Shapovalov 14/10

This promises to be an entertaining clash between two powerful left-handers. This season hasn't gone quite as well for American Ben Shelton as many would have expected.

He really stood out last season, reaching the quarterfinals at the Aussie Open before having an incredible semifinal run at the US Open. He reached the 3rd round at every Slam this season, but never got past the 4th round at any of them.

He only reached the quarterfinals in one Masters 1000 event all year (Cincinnati). His best result of the season came in Houston, where he won his second career title (and first on clay). These smooth Peking rubbers should, in theory, suit his big serve approach.

He has already played well in Asia, winning his first career title at the Japan Open last year. The charismatic American was knocked out by Fils in the quarterfinals of his title defense at the Japan Open. He could use a solid two weeks to regain some lost confidence.

It's hard to believe that Denis Shapovalov is only 25 years old! I guess he broke through at a very young age and reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open in 2018 as an 18-year-old.

The former top ten player has had a tough few years. A knee injury abruptly ended his 2023 season and he was unable to rediscover his ability this year.

He only reached one quarterfinal all season (in Washington). He was on the precipice of some solid results at major tournaments, achieving third-round finishes at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Miami and Madrid.

He had to get through qualifying this week, but he looked impressive in his first-round match against Winston-Salem champion Lorenzo Sonego. He scored 27 wins and won 77% of his first serve points against Sonego. He became only the third Canadian in history to record 200 ATP Tour victories (after Raonic and Auger-Aliassime).

The verdict: Shapovalov wins in three rounds with 42/10

Shelton leads the matchup 2-0 and has won both games this calendar year. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Shelton defeated Shapovlaov in an epic third-round clash at Wimbledon, overtaking the Canadian in a marathon five-set battle.

The Canadian then had to give up in an even quarter-final duel in Washington. Shapovalov looked really impressive against Sonego and I think he could pull off an upset here.

The Canadian has fared well against him this season and Shelton could be starting to feel the effects of a grueling season.