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May 31 2024, 11:58 · Adam Evans

Ben Shelton vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Preview & Prediction | 2024 French Open | Third Round

Ben Shelton vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Preview & Prediction | 2024 French Open | Third Round

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

This should be a thrilling first encounter between two contemporaries on a surface neither call home.

START DATE/TIME: Friday 31st May 2024, UK – not before 14:30 / US EST – not before 09:30 / US PST – not before 06:30

VENUE: Roland Garros Stadium, Paris, France

SURFACE: Outdoor clay

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Eurosport / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – NBC, Peacock and Tennis Channel

TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Ben Shelton vs Felix Auger-Aliassime ticket information

BEN SHELTON VS FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME PREDICTION

Former world number six Felix Auger-Aliassime and current number 15 Ben Shelton played doubles alongside each other at the Laver Cup last September but this will be their first of likely many clashes at the top of the sport over the next decade.

Neither player is at their best on clay but both have improved significantly this season, with 21-year-old Shelton winning his second ATP title at the Houston Open, on clay, in April and 23-year-old Auger-Aliassime finishing runner-up to Andrey Rublev at the Madrid Masters earlier this month.

Shelton passed a big test at Roland-Garros with a comeback over cult hero Hugo Gaston on Monday and he was in control of a competitive clash with Kei Nishikori on Wednesday before the Japanese was forced to withdraw injured. Auger-Aliassime dropped a set to qualifier Henri Squire on Thursday to look a little shakier than his opponent but the Canadian’s better experience in these conditions should aid him.

Support is likely to edge the more charismatic American’s way in a match that looks a good candidate for five sets but current form suggests Auger-Aliassime can edge it. Back both players to win a set and add at least a tiebreak between two of the tougher serves to break on tour.

BEN SHELTON VS FELIX AUGER-ALIASSIME TIP: BOTH TO WIN A SET (AND OVER 0.5 TIEBREAKS)