Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Prediction 07/25/2025 Washington Picks

Fourth seed Ben Shelton will face sixth seed Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Washington Open. The match is scheduled for Friday, July 25. Here’s our Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe prediction. This preview will also include a Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe pick.

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Preview

Ben Shelton is the fourth seed in Washington and reached his second career quarterfinal at the tournament. Shelton started the week with a straight-sets win over countryman Mackenzie McDonald. Shelton won 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 16 minutes. He tallied nine aces and 23 winners in total. Shelton did not face a break point in the match and won 87% of first serve points (27/31). He compiled 81% of second serve points won (13/16).

In the last 16, Shelton faced a test in the form of breakout star Gabriel Diallo of Canada. But the American was far superior in the big-hitting battle. He won 6-3, 6-2 in just 62 minutes. Shelton hit 21 winners and 7 unforced errors, which included 16 aces and two double faults. Shelton lost only two points behind the first serve and won 67% of second serve points. Again, Shelton did not face a single break point, and broke Diallo three times in the match. This will be his first quarterfinal on a hard court since Indian Wells. Shelton was a semifinalist when he played at DC Open last year, losing to Flavio Cobolli.

Frances Tiafoe is the sixth seed and the American has lit up the tournament with both his bright outfit and flashy tennis to make the Washington quarterfinals. Tiafoe started the week with a battling three-set win over Aleksandar Kovacevic. Tiafoe capitalized on Kovacevic’s fatigue towards the end and closed out the match 6-3 in the third. 

In the last 16, Tiafoe beat Cobolli in straight sets in just over an hour. Tiafoe hit 19 winners and 28 unforced errors, including eight aces and four double faults. Tiafoe landed 54% of first serves in play and won 74% of first serve points (25/34). He won 52% of second serve points (15/29) and saved four of five break points. Tiafoe improves to 8-6 on hard courts this season. Tiafoe also makes his fourth quarterfinal in Washington. He has made one semifinal in the past, which was last year, losing to eventual champion Sebastian Korda.

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Head-To-Head

Shelton and Tiafoe have met three times in the past. Shelton leads 2-1, winning their first bout in the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open. He then beat Tiafoe to win the Houston title last year. Tiafoe got his revenge in the third round of the 2024 US Open.

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Prediction

Ben Shelton has not just been sweeping away his opponents with ease in Washington, but he’s been unbreakable all week. Tiafoe’s task of getting under his countryman’s skin is made more difficult by the fact that Shelton is yet to lose his serve in this tournament. Should Shelton keep hammering that first serve under minimal pressure, then I expect him to settle this match in potentially two tight sets.