Two years after his historic US Open semi-final run, Ben Shelton has reaffirmed his hard-court prowess with another impressive semi-final appearance at the Australian Open. Carrying this momentum, the American star now sets his sights on ATP Dallas. His second-round opponent, however, is the seasoned Spanish pro, Jaume Munar. This highly anticipated match promises to be a thrilling contest. Who will prevail?

Ben Shelton vs Jaume Munar: Preview

Ben Shelton and Jaume Antoni Munar Clar will face off in the second round after both players secured straight-set wins in their opening matches. Shelton, ranked No. 13 in the world, delivered an impressive performance against Aleksandar Vukic, winning 6-3, 6-3. The American dominated with his aggressive style, hitting 26 winners and winning 90% of his first-serve points. His strong serving, including six aces and only four double faults, ensured he did not face a single break point.

On the other hand, his opponent, Munar Clar, currently ranked 64, overcame Bu Yunchaokete with a 7-5, 6-2 victory. The Spaniard displayed solid consistency, hitting 29 winners and winning 73% of his first-serve points. However, despite his efficiency, he conceded one serve break. Munar Clar has had a decent start to the season, with his best result so far being a semifinal appearance in Hong Kong.

Shelton vs Munar: Head-to-head

When it comes to the head-to-head stats between the two stars, Ben Shelton has the slightest 1-0 edge over his opponent. The only encounter between the two stars came back in 2023 when the two met at the Shanghai Masters. In a thrilling contest, Shelton came out on top in a straight 6-4, 6-4 win.

Prediction: Ben Shelton to come out on top in a thriller

Ben Shelton’s powerful serve makes him a dangerous opponent, especially on indoor hard courts. His ability to dominate points quickly gives him an advantage in these conditions. However, he has shown some inconsistency in best-of-three matches, and occasional lapses in focus have cost him in the past. If he can maintain his concentration, he will be tough to beat.

Jaume Munar, on the other hand, is traditionally known for his clay-court skills but has recently been improving on hard courts. His 2025 season has started well, highlighted by a semifinal run in Hong Kong and a strong five-set battle against Casper Ruud at the Australian Open. Despite this progress, Munar has struggled on indoor hard courts. His first-round win in Dallas against Bu Yunchaokete was his first main-draw ATP indoor victory since Antwerp in 2022. Now, he is aiming to reach his first-ever quarterfinal at an indoor event.

Munar’s strengths lie in his fitness, defensive skills, and baseline consistency, which can make him a tricky opponent. However, his lack of natural power makes it difficult for him to excel on fast indoor courts. His record against top-20 players in these conditions is also concerning, as he has yet to secure a victory against a high-ranked opponent indoors.

Looking at their current form, Munar has had a solid start to the season, but Shelton is the more experienced player indoors. The playing conditions also favor Shelton’s big-serving, aggressive style more than Munar’s defensive game. Additionally, Shelton has already reached an ATP 500 final on indoor hard courts, while Munar has never advanced beyond the second round at this level.

Prediction: While Munar’s recent performances suggest he can put up a fight, Shelton’s superior power and efficiency in these conditions make him the clear favorite to win the match.