Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Houston

Prediction published on 07/04/2024, 03:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 07/04/2024 at 07:00 in Tennis Predictions

Frances Tiafoe bids to become the first player since Steve Johnson to retain the US Clay Court Championships. The third seed faces top seeded Ben Shelton in the final of this outdoor clay court tournament. Tiafoe is the world number 21 but down to 23rd in the live rankings as he defends the points earned when winning this title in 2023. Not since 2018 has the title been retained but Tiafoe has been in good form in Houston this week. The American beat unseeded Luciano Darderi in Saturday's semifinal to reach this title decider. Tiafoe had to go to a final set against James Duckworth in the second round, losing the middle one. He's beaten sixth seed Jordan Thompson and unseeded Luciano Darderi in straight sets since then. Three tie-breaks have been played by Tiafoe in this tournament. There's only been one previous meeting between the pair and that was won by Shelton last year. That was on an outdoor hard court in the US Open.

Ben Shelton is ranked 16th and is up to a career high equalling 15th in the live rankings. A win over Tiafoe will take him up to 14th place. The American is making his debut in the US Clay Court Championships. His high ranking has been achieved by his performances on hard courts rather than this surface. He's never won at Roland Garros and this is his first final on clay. To get to this title decider, Shelton has won three matches but two needed a final set to secure victory. In both of those matches, he had to come from behind to get the win. That was the case in the semifinal as he beat fourth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry (who lost to Tiafoe in last year's final) in three sets. Both of his last two matches have seen a tie-break played. We go for there being at least one tie-break being played in what should be a tight final.