Ben Shelton v Frances Tiafoe: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Two of the most popular players in American tennis clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe face off in the third round of the US Open.

Shelton has been in sizzling form at Flushing Meadows, beating 2020 champion Dominic Thiem and veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut to reach this stage, but a meeting with Tiafoe - a repeat of last season's quarter-final clash between the pair - represents a tougher test.

While Shelton triumphed in four sets on that occasion, Tiafoe has been in fine form in the build-up to the final Grand Slam of the season and will be hopeful of turning the tables on his compatriot.

With a 2-0 head-to-head record in his favour, it's Shelton who is odds-on at 8/13 with Tiafoe available to back at 13/10.

Ben Shelton v Frances Tiafoe betting tips and predictions

Ben Shelton to win & both players to win a set - 7/5

Shelton prevailed by a 6-2 3-6 7-6 6-2 scoreline when these two met for the first time in the 2023 US Open and a similar result looks likely when the pair do battle for the third time.

Shelton to win 3-1 again catches the eye in the set-betting market but the safest option could be to take the 21-year-old to win a match which goes to either four or five sets.

It's been more than two decades since an American male won a Grand Slam singles title and US tennis fans are hopeful that Shelton could be the first to do so since Andy Roddick in 2003.

However, after a breakthrough 2023 season which culminated in a run to the semi-finals in New York, it's been something of a sophomore slump for the Atlantan, who hasn't kicked on in the manner in which many assumed he would.

There have been glimpses - the towering left-hander won a title in Japan in October then he claimed a second victory in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in April, coincidentally beating Tiafoe in three sets in the final.

He's been solid in the Slams, reaching at least the third round in all four but so far no further than the fourth round, but he was always likely to be seen to best effect in New York and he looks to be peaking at the right time again with plenty of ranking points to defend.

Shelton possesses a huge game, centred around a booming serve and a big forehand and, while Tiafoe has the appetite for a battle, that head-to-head record may well be in the back of his mind.

Tiafoe reached the final in Cincinnati - the best Masters 1000 result of his career - and he was a US Open semi-finalist in 2022. He should be competitive but Shelton looks too strong.

Over 5.5 total breaks of serve - 11/10

For a second bet, take a chance on over 5.5 total breaks or serve, a wager which copped in last season's US Open quarter-final clash and has also landed in each Tiafoe's wins over Aleksandar Kovacevic and Alexander Shevchenko.

Both players are strong servers with Shelton, in particular, a difficult man to stop on his own delivery, but there were 11 breaks of serve in their only previous five-set match and, with conditions cooling in New York, the courts should be playing slower than they have in the earlier rounds.

With a long match anticipated, don't be surprised to see both men trade a number of breaks.

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Ben Shelton v Frances Tiafoe odds

Ben Shelton - 8/13
Frances Tiafoe - 13/10

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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.