Ben Shelton is eager to face Jannik Sinner

With the victory of Alexander Zverev over Tallon Griekspoor in the last match of today’s schedule, the draw of the Shanghai Masters 1000 has finally lined up for the round of 16 after the rain of recent days. Among the most anticipated matches tomorrow is definitely the clash between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton. The two young champions have already faced each other twice this year, respectively at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and the Wimbledon Championships, with two wins for the Italian ace.

The American champion has a happy memory linked to the tournament in Shanghai, since last year he defeated Jannik after losing the first by playing an exceptional tennis in the second part of the match. This surface fits very well into Ben’s style of play, which will have to serve with very high percentages and limit the number of unforced errors in order to have a chance against the world number 1.

After beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round, Sinner admitted he felt a bit tired but had two days off due to the rain. The two-time Grand Slam champion – who suffered just six losses in the entire season – starts definitely favorite according to bookmakers, but will have to avoid losing concentration against a very dangerous player.

Shelton is ready

Shelton will be able to play without much pressure against a player who has been almost unbeatable this year. Sinner has lost three times to Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo, Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon and Andrey Rublev in Montreal. The only win of the four matches that Ben Shelton managed to bring to his side against Jannik Sinner was at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai in 2023.

One year after that success, after the three consecutive wins by the Italian between Vienna and Wimbledon, the two will meet again in the same tournament. The American has passed Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena with the score of 6-3, 6-4 and recalled, in a press…