Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils Prediction Australian Open Tennis Picks 1/20/25
Australian Open Prediction: Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils
Monday, January 20, 2025
Betting Odds: Ben Shelton -166 / Gael Monfils +128 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN
Ben Shelton and Gael Monfils meet in the fourth round of the 2025 Australian Open on Monday, January 20, 2025. Here's our Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils prediction. This preview also includes a Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils pick.
Ben Shelton Preview
Ben Shelton is one match away from equaling his career-best run at the Australian Open. The American lefty earned an impressive four-set win over Lorenzo Musetti to reach the fourth round.
Having lost his two previous meetings to the Italian, Shelton admitted after the match that losing three times to the same opponent was not an option and that he was fighting to turn the tables.
And he did in a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory that lasted two hours and 52 minutes. Shelton accumulated 38 winners and 56 unforced errors in the match. That included 11 aces and three double faults.
Shelton landed 70% of first serves and won 81% of first-serve points (67/83). However, he won only 47% of second-serve points (17/36) and saved four of six break points on his serve.
Shelton won 32% of return points (37/116) and converted three of six break points.
Gael Monfils Preview
Gael Monfils, meanwhile, knocked out fourth seed Taylor Fritz in the biggest shock of the tournament so far by ranking. Monfils stretches his win streak to nine matches. It is a run that includes his historic title win in Auckland.
The 38-year-old rolled back the years in a three-hour contest which he won in four sets. The match took 44 games to decide.
Monfils prevailed 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2022.
In the victory, Monfils compiled 58 winners and 34 unforced errors. From those numbers, he accumulated 24 aces and four double faults.
Monfils landed 61% of first serves and won 82% of first-serve points (61/74). He won 68% of second-serve points (32/47) and saved three of four break points.
Monfils tallied 31% of return points (40/130) and converted two of six break points.
Monfils has now won nine of 10 matches this season. The only defeat he suffered was to Novak Djokovic in Brisbane.
Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils Head-To-Head
• Shelton and Monfils have no previous history on the ATP Tour. This will be their first meeting.
Ben Shelton vs Gael Monfils Prediction
This won't be new territory for both players at Grand Slam level. Monfils said he is a firm believer in his abilities and that even at 38 he can still do some damage in the draw. Not many people saw that four-set win over Fritz coming, including myself. But the indisputable fact is that Monfils will be depleted of energy a lot faster than his younger opponents. What largely helped Monfils' cause besides Fritz's physical ailment is that the American lacked the ability to mix up his shots. That won't be an issue for Shelton who can take the sting out of the ball with his improvised off-pace slices. Give me Shelton in four sets.
Nur’s Pick Ben Shelton in four sets
AUTHOR: Nur Said
