Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot Australian Open Prediction 1/24/2026 Today’s Tennis Picks

World No. 7 Ben Shelton will face World No. 31 Valentin Vacherot in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday, January 24. Here’s our Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot prediction. This preview will also include a Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot pick.

Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot Preview

Ben Shelton is coming off a straight sets win over World No. 182 Dane Sweeny in the last round. Shelton was hardly tested as he came through 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes. In the victory, Shelton compiled 38 winners and 17 unforced errors. That included 19 aces and 2 double faults. Shelton landed 67% of first serves in play and won 88% of first serve points (38/43). The American lefty won 71% of second serve points (15/21) and did not face a single break point.

Before this match, Shelton beat an in-form Ugo Humbert 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in one of the toughest first rounds in the tournament, considering Humbert’s status as a multiple ATP champion. Shelton improves 3-1 for the season. He was a semifinalist at the Australian Open 12 months ago and reached the quarterfinals on debut in 2023. In between, he lost in the third round stage back in 2024.

Valentin Vacherot is competing in just his second Grand Slam main draw and his first at the Australian Open, thanks to his incredible surge in the rankings following his historic title win at the Shanghai Masters at the back end of last year. Vacherot overcame Australia’s World No. 114 Rinky Hijikata in four sets to prevail. 

The match lasted two hours and 31 minutes. Vacherot hit 44 winners to 37 unforced errors. That included 15 aces and 4 double faults. Vacherot landed 61% of first serves in play and won 83% of first serve points (50/60). He won 56% of second serve points (22/39) and saved four of five break points. Before this round, Vacherot had beaten Martin Damm in straight sets for his first-ever Grand Slam match win.

Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot Head-To-Head

Shelton and Vacherot have played once in the past. The American won an instant classic in three sets at the 2022 Las Vegas Challenger.

Ben Shelton vs Valentin Vacherot Prediction

I think this matchup tilts towards Shelton for reasons beyond his serving prowess. Shelton will look to stretch the court and use the width properly to rob Vacherot of composure and timing. The Monagesque is at his best when rallies settle in a predictable rhyhtm and Shelton can severely limit that. He’ll need to be wary of impatient backhand misses, so discipline will be key here, but I can’t look past Shelton, who should sail into the last 16.

Nur Said's Pick: Ben Shelton in four sets