Ben Shelton is looking to become the first American man to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 but Aaron Ashley thinks the wait could continue in New York with top seed Alexander Zverev set to put his experience to good use.
It has been a dream run to a first Grand Slam final for Shelton, who came through a five-set epic with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals before coming from behind to defeat compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the last four.
For Zverev, he has progressed as the tournament has developed and, since being taken to five sets in his opening two clashes with Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys, he has not dropped a set.
Winning the French Open in June has done Zverev's confidence the world of good and he is in his third straight Grand Slam final having subsequently finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Tips Summary
Best Bet - Alexander Zverev to win @ 4/6
Alternative Bet - Ben Shelton not to win two or more sets @ 5/4
Bet Builder - Alexander Zverev to win, Ben Shelton to serve 15 or more aces & Alexander Zverev to serve five or more double faults @ 4/1
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Prediction
Best Bet: Alexander Zverev to win @ 4/6
Shelton deserves a lot of credit for making his first Grand Slam final given the difficult draw he has successfully navigated and he will have a passionate home crowd on his side.
The win over Alcaraz in the quarter-final reads especially well but this was the first tournament for the Spaniard for four months so he was entitled to be rusty and he went a set behind against Tiafoe before fighting back.
Only one of Shelton's six tournament wins were recorded in straight sets and the most concerning thing for him would be his record against Zverev.
The German has won all five previous meetings, losing only one set, and he has grown into the tournament.
Zverev needed five sets in his opening two matches against Sonego and Halys but he has responded with four routine wins, with the semi-final triumph over Karen Khachanov especially impressive.
Khachanov forced only two break-point opportunities while Zverev's two victims prior to that, Luciano Darderi and Botic van de Zandschulp, were unable to break.
That shows the size of the task Shelton is facing, especially given that there are sure to be nerves in his first Grand Slam final, and there will be no time to settle.
The American has a record of just 10 wins from 34 matches against players who were ranked in the world's top 10 at the time and he may have to wait before he gets his hands on some Grand Slam silverware.
Alternative Bet: Ben Shelton not to win two or more sets @ 5/4
Shelton may be able to get a set on the board but winning two could be beyond him as Zverev is serving supremely well.
The German has won his last four matches 3-0 and has barely been tested, giving up a total of only five break-point opportunities in his last three wins over Darderi, Van de Zandschulp and Khachanov.
Zverev is a perfect five-from-five against Shelton, having won their last four rivalries without dropping a set, and his victory at the French Open in June has given him plenty of belief.
He followed that up with a run to the final at Wimbledon and he will be desperate to add to his Roland Garros heroics with no Sinner or Alcaraz to stop him.
Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton Bet Builder Tip
Alexander Zverev to win
Ben Shelton to serve 15 or more aces
Alexander Zverev to serve five or more double faults
Pays 4/1
Zverev is expected to put his experience to good use against Shelton, who has lost all five previous meetings against the German and is sure to feel some pressure in his first Grand Slam final.
Shelton will pose problems with his serve, though, and he had 20 aces in his semi-final victory over Tiafoe so will be looking to utilise that weapon.
Zverev is tough to break but he can be prone to plenty of double faults and he has had five or more in five of his six US Open wins.
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Key Match Stats
Zverev has won all five previous meetings with Shelton
Zverev's last four wins over Shelton came in straight sets
Zverev is featuring in his fifth Grand Slam final and he has reached all of the last three
Shelton has a record of just 10 wins from 34 matches against players who were ranked in the world's top 10 at the time
Zverev has lost only four of his last 28 matches
Both players have won a set in five of Shelton's six US Open matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
