Ben Shelton vs Casper Ruud Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | Round of 16

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Ben Shelton faces Casper Ruud at the 2026 Australian Open.

Start date/time:

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Ben Shelton vs Casper Ruud ticket information

Ben Shelton vs Casper Ruud prediction

A resurgent Casper Ruud faces his toughest test yet as he bids to reach the Australian Open quarter finals for the first time.

The Norwegian failed to get beyond the second round at the majors last year but the 27-year-old has looked more like the player who has appeared in three Grand Slam finals so far in Melbourne.

The 12th seed defeated Marin Cilic in four to make the round of 16 for the first time since 2021 and now takes a 2-1 head-to-head lead into his fourth career showdown with eighth seed Ben Shelton.

The American is looking sharp now he is injury free with competitive court-time under his belt and has yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park, powering through a trio of tie-breaks along the way.

Ruud has won their last two encounters, but it is 1-1 on a hardcourt and Shelton is a different proposition since their last meeting in 2024, having cracked the top five late last year.

It’s tough to back against Casper’s resilience, determination and know-how, but he will have his work cut out if Shelton’s first-serve percentage is high. There’s certainly mileage in this one with both players likely to have periods of significant momentum.

Ben Shelton vs Casper Ruud tip: Over 3.5 sets