The Stats Zone
August 12 2024, 20:34 · Rob Esteva

Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka Preview & Prediction | 2024 Cincinnati Open | First Round

Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka Preview & Prediction | 2024 Cincinnati Open | First Round

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Two Americans face off in the first round at the Cincinnati Open as the talented young Ben Shelton meets the most experienced Reilly Opelka

RANKING POINTS: ATP 1000

START DATE/TIME: Tuesday 13th August, 2024, UK – not before 3:00pm / US ET – not before 10:00am / US PT – not before 7:00am

VENUE: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Ohio, USA

SURFACE: Outdoor hard

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Ben Shelton vs Reilly Opelka ticket information

BEN SHELTON VS REILLY OPELKA PREDICTION

Promising young American Ben Shelton gets his Cincinnati Open campaign underway against compatriot Reilly Opelka and Shelton will be eager to get one over him. Shelton has been in North America the last few weeks and enjoyed a good week in Washington at the Citi Open where he lost out to Flavio Cobolli in the semis.

He will be banking on his strong return game against the big-serving Opelka and he can take a leaf from Alex Michelsen’s book who beat Opelka a couple of weeks ago in Newport. Shelton has to the defensive skills to produce a similar performance but he will have to be at his best.

Opelka has been working his way back to full fitness following injury and the big American will be hoping his serve produces the good in this match and this week. He has had very few matches under his belt since his return and it is hard to see him keeping up with some of the talented dynamic youngsters on the tour right now. Our preference goes to Shelton to just have the legs and return game to win this.

BEN SHELTON VS REILLY OPELKA TIP: BEN SHELTON TO WIN