Basel QF previews and predictions: Rublev vs. Shelton, Tsitsipas vs. Fils

Two all-seeded showdowns are in store for quarterfinal Friday in Basel, where Nitto ATP Finals hopefuls Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are on the schedule. They are facing Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils, respectively.

(1) Andrey Rublev vs. (6) Ben Shelton

Rublev and Shelton will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Friday afternoon. It has been an up-and-down campaign for Rublev, but a title in Madrid and a runner-up effort in Montreal are enough to leave him in Nitto ATP Finals position (currently No. 8). The Russian is off to a solid start in Basel, where he has dismissed Nuno Borges and Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets.

Shelton also hasn’t dropped a set this week, as he ousted Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Stan Wawrinka without too much trouble. The 23rd-ranked American has now won multiple matches at five consecutive tournaments. However, truly big wins have mostly eluded Shelton in 2024–which is why has picked up more than two victories only once during this stretch (reached the Cincinnati quarterfinals). This is a toss-up match and should be high in quality, but Rublev is more consistent from the back of the court and will likely force Shelton to play just enough defense for the top seed to get across the finish line.

Pick: Rublev in 3

(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (7) Arthur Fils

Whereas Rublev is currently in good shape to punch a Turin ticket, Tsitsipas needs at least one more huge result and possibly even deep runs in both Basel and Paris. The 11th-ranked Greek has given himself a chance this week by outlasting Francisco Cerundolo in a third-set tiebreaker before taking care of Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(3), 7-5.

Up next for Tsitsipas is a second meeting with Fils, who won their only previous matchup 7-6(5), 7-6(4) on the indoor hard courts of Antwerp last fall. The 20-year-old Frenchman has really taken off this season, soaring to 20th in the rankings thanks to a 34-14 record on the main tour. Amazingly, Fils is 12-0 in his last 12 matches at ATP 500s–with titles in Hamburg and Tokyo followed by Basel defeats of Daniel Altmaier and Pedro Martinez. Fils is in superior form, so look for him to extend that winning streak to 13.

Pick: Fils in 3