Aleksandar is currently ranked 67th in the ATP rankings. His career record on indoor hard courts is positive at 50 wins and 32 losses, though he has yet to claim a title on this surface. Two years ago, he attempted to qualify in Dallas but was eliminated in the first round of qualifying. Vukic put in a decent performance at the Australian Open, reaching the third round, where he lost in a dramatic five-set battle against Jack Draper—a result that can be considered solid for the Australian. A few months ago, he showed good form on indoor courts, making it to the semifinals of a tournament in Almaty before losing to Karen Khachanov. However, he was not particularly lucky with the draw in Dallas.
Vukic favors a counterattacking playing style, which works best on fast surfaces, though he has also shown versatility on clay. His most effective weapon is his powerful first serve. However, he lacks a reliable backhand, often running around to hit a forehand instead. This approach helps him avoid prolonged baseline rallies. On the downside, Vukic struggles with lapses in concentration, lacks consistency, and is relatively slow on the court. Moreover, his track record against top-20 players is not promising—he has lost eight of his last ten matches against them, which plays in favor of his opponent.
Ben is currently the world’s No. 13 player, which is the highest ranking of his career. A strong performance in Dallas, combined with potential slip-ups from Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev in Rotterdam, could propel him into the ATP top 10. Shelton recently reached his second career Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open (the first was at the US Open), which is an outstanding achievement for the 22-year-old American. Although he still finds it difficult to compete against the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, breaking into the top 10 is an achievable goal.
Like most American players, Shelton is highly motivated to perform well at home tournaments, regardless of their level, as he thrives on the support of local crowds. His game is built around a powerful and reliable serve. Additionally, he has excellent technique, frequently approaches the net, and plays well in those situations. He is also capable of shifting from defense to offense aggressively. On the baseline, he moves quickly and can change pace abruptly. However, he occasionally struggles with double faults and has an inconsistent return game. Notably, Shelton has won 10 of his last 15 matches against Australian players, which further strengthens his case in this match.
This match promises to be an intense and closely watched contest. Based on the analysis, Shelton is the clear favorite—and deservedly so. However, given his inconsistent return and Vukic’s strong serve, this match could be a long battle. Therefore, my suggested bet is on the total number of games exceeding 23.5.
Overall, Ben Shelton is the clear favorite in this matchup. His strong serve and aggressive game make him a tough opponent, especially on fast surfaces. Aleksandar Vukic’s inconsistency and lack of a reliable backhand give Shelton an edge, though Vukic’s serve could prolong the match. The total number of games is likely to exceed 23.5, but Shelton is expected to come out on top.
Prediction for the winner: Ben Shelton.
Odds for Shelton's Victory: 1.25
Recommended Bet: Total games over 23.5 — odds 2.07.
