With the Novak Djokovic vs. Jakub Mensik match having been cancelled due to Mensik’s withdrawal, Ben Shelton vs. Casper Ruud has been moved from John Cain Area to night-session therapy in Rod Laver Area. Right here is my choose for Monday’s fourth-round showdown.
(8) Ben Shelton vs. (12) Casper RuudArguably no person within the males’s area at Melbourne Park was extra spectacular throughout Week 1 in opposition to — in some circumstances — very tough competitors than Shelton. The 23-year-old didn’t lose a single set whereas beating Adelaide finalist Ugo Humbert, Aussie crowd favourite Dane Sweeny, and 2025 Shanghai winner Valentin Vacherot. Shelton is now 14-3 all time at this occasion, which features a semifinal run (2025) and a quarterfinal displaying (2023).
Monday evening marks their fourth assembly, with Ruud main the head-to-head sequence 2-1. Nonetheless, they’re 1-1 on arduous courts — and Shelton’s victory was a beatdown (Cincinnati 2022) whereas Ruud’s success got here in a three-set thriller (Acapulco 2024).
Ruud has superior in Melbourne with defeats of Mattia Bellucci, Jaume Munar, and Marin Cilic, dropping only one set to Cilic alongside the best way.
The Thirteenth-ranked Norwegian is taking part in nicely, however it is a matchup that units up nicely for Shelton. He’ll goal Ruud’s backhand with a lefty serve and a heavy topspin forehand. Whereas the world No. 7 has been an absolute power at Grand Slams regularly, Ruud — except for one Roland Garros semifinal look — has cooled off in a giant manner at slams since ending runner-up on the 2023 French Open.
Choose: Shelton in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
