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Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton Preview & Tips - Shelton's US Open dream to continue with win over Tiafoe

By Ben Darvill

51 minutes ago

Ben Darvill 51 minutes ago

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Ben Shelton has won three of his four previous matches against his opponent (L1)
Shelton has won 19 of his 25 on hard courts this season (L6)
Preview, stats & head to head

Ben Shelton (Getty Images)

Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Frances Tiafoe Form
Ben Shelton Form

Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton Preview & Tips

Frances Tiafoe came from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen in a stunning 3-2 win to take his place in the semi-finals of the US Open.

Ben Shelton secured the result of the US Open so far as he eliminated Carlos Alcaraz in a pulsating 6-7 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 triumph.

Tiafoe has lost 144 times on hard courts across his career (W217)

Head To Head

The two have met four times before, with Shelton winning three meetings and Tiafoe winning once.

Frances Tiafoe Form

Frances Tiafoe was staring at the prospect of elimination from the US Open quarter finals in straight sets after going 5-7 3-6 down at the hands of Alex Michelsen.

However, Tiafoe roared back to win the next three sets 7-5 6-3 7-6. In each of the sets he won, Tiafoe was forced to rally from losing his own serve. While he will be pleased to have ensured that losing on serve did not define these sets, this will be a worry as he looks to move into the US Open final.

While Tiafoe has won three of his five outings 3-0, the other two matches have ended 3-2. It has been very much a case of winning handsomely or being made to sweat on victory at the tournament this year.

I do not see Tiafoe beating his opponent, but I do back him to secure a set. The pair are on the cusp of a shot at their first Grand Slam crown, and I predict that Tiafoe will have to watch the final from afar.

Ben Shelton Form

Ben Shelton won an enthralling quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz as he came from 1-0 down to secure a gripping 3-2 win.

In Shelton's 6-7 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 win, he was particularly good in the second set as he came from 1-0 down to win the next six consecutive games, breaking Alcaraz three times. Against a player of Alcaraz's quality, to beat him in six consecutive games in the second set and in nine successive games across the second and third sets, it showed Shelton's immense ability.

Now, the focus has to be on building on a big win by beating Tiafoe. While his quarter-final result is one that will go down as one of the great victories, it will be rendered meaningless if he is to lose in the semi-final of the US Open.

While I do not see Shelton winning this one comfortably, I do back him to take his place in the US Open final on the back of a 3-1 win.

Verdict

Frances Tiafoe v Ben Shelton

I am backing Shelton to secure a 3-1 win over Tiafoe as the former moves to within a single win of his first ever Grand Slam crown.

Shelton 3-1

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