Tokyo QF preview and prediction: Paul vs. Shelton

It will be a rematch of a recent U.S. Open fourth-round showdown when Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton meet again the quarterfinals of the Japan Open on Friday.

In fact, Paul and Shelton went head-to-head at each of the two hard-court Grand Slams in 2023. The two Americans split the pair of encounters; Paul prevailed 7-6(6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in the Australian Open quarterfinals before Shelton got the job done 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to earn a quarterfinal spot in New York.

Thanks to a remarkably consistent 2023 campaign, Paul remains in realistic Nitto ATP Finals contention. The 26-year-old is ranked 12th in the world and he will climb to No. 10 in the race to Turin with the Tokyo title. So far this week he has defeated Daniel Altmaier and Mackenzie McDonald, dropping one set to Altmaier in the process.

Shelton’s season has been all over the place, but he appears to be ending it like a man possessed. The 21-year-old has soared into the top 20 thanks in part to a semifinal run at the U.S. Open and a recent quarterfinal performance at the Shanghai Masters. He also dominated for a victorious Team World at the Laver Cup and so far in Tokyo has dismissed Taro Daniel and Jordan Thompson in three sets.

Whereas Paul seems to have a hit a bit of a wall since the U.S. Open as he comes down the stretch of a long season, Shelton is going full steam ahead. The former NCAA singles champion loves these relatively quick conditions in Tokyo, too, so he should have the edge on Friday.

Pick: Shelton in 2

[yop_poll id=”630″]