ATP Houston 2024: Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry; Preview, Head-To-Head, and Prediction

The American fans are enjoying an amazing setup filled with action and entertainment at the tournament in Houston. As rising star Ben Shelton defies the odds of his career by making it to the semi-finals, Tomas Martin Etchverry adds one more notable position to his clay experience.

With both players going against each other for the first time, the showdown becomes one of a kind for the clay-court setup fans. But who among these has better odds of winning? The home advantage or the clay experience? Let’s find out!

Ben Shelton vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry: Preview

Ben Shelton appears to be quite flexible in his recent matches, especially in Houston, where he made a strong comeback from a set down against Zizou Bergs. Along with that, saving all seven breakpoints in his recent match against Brandon Nakashima showcased his ability to handle intense pressure.  Overall, Shelton’s success in reaching the semifinals in Houston marks another step ahead for him, considering the fact that clay hasn’t really been his ground.

On the other hand, Tomas Martin Etcheverry appeared to have faced physical challenges during his recent matches. However, proving to be strong enough to tackle such challenges, the tennis star still managed to move past them despite the issues. While luck also seems to favor him considering Michael Mmoh’s withdrawal in his recent match, it is time to see if the magic works over Shelton as well.

Despite the recent physical concerns that he had to go through, his past successes in the semifinals of Santiago and Houston last year increase his chances of moving past.

Shelton vs. Etcheverry: Head-to-head

Looking at the head-to-head stats between Ben Shelton and Etcheverry, the two have never faced each other before. While their upcoming competition in Houston will be the first time that they find themselves locked in a showdown, it still remains to be seen who surpasses the other.

Prediction: Etcheverry to gain a straight-set victory

Shelton hasn’t had much success on clay courts in the past, with just two wins out of the ten matches that he played on this surface. However, his recent performance appears to have changed the odds, as he managed to save 14 out of 16 break points in his two matches so far.

On the other side of the court, Etcheverry has been more comfortable on clay, having won 20 matches out of 32 in the past year. This sets up a challenging situation for Shelton. Considering Etcheverry’s strong hitting and movement on clay, there are high chances of him securing a victory in straight sets.

ALSO READ: Monte-Carlo Masters: Why Are Americans Ben Shelton And Frances Tiafoe Skipping The Prestigious Event?