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Fixture: (28) Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik
Date: Friday, May 12
Tournament: Italian Open 2023
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
Category: Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor clay
Prize money: €7,705,780
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik preview
Twenty-eighth seed Ben Shelton takes on Alexander Bublik as he makes his debut at the Italian Open.
In only his second season on tour, the 35th-ranked Shelton is enjoying a breakout campaign. After winning his opener in a fifth-set super tiebreak, the 20-year-old American embarked on an inspired run to the quarterfinals, losing in four sets to compatriot Tommy Paul.
Shelton, though, has been underwhelming since then, making opening-round exits at Delray Beach and Acapulco before reaching the second round at Indian Wells. Either side of opening-round exits at Miami and Monte-Carlo, the American reached the second round at Estoril.
He's 1-2 at his last two tournaments, including an exit in the first round at Madrid last fortnight.
Meanwhile, World No.49 Bublik made a wretched start to the season. He lost his first eight matches, before returning to winning ways at Marseille, where he lost to eventual winner Hubert Hurkacz in the last four.
After early exits in Dubai and Indian Wells, the 25-year-old lost his first two matches on European clay - Monte-Carlo and Barcelona - before making the Madrid second round.
Bublik is coming off a quarterfinal run at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger and will look to open his account in Rome on his fourth attempt.
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik head-to-head
The two players haven't met before, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik odds
(All odds as per BETMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Alexander Bublik prediction
Both Shelton and Bublik largely look to dominate opponents from the back of the court. Both players can serve big, hit powerfully off either flank and move well. However, Bublik takes a slight edge because of his superior experience and pedigree.
Having said that, consistency is never the Kazakh's strongest suit, while Shelton has just started out. The two players have had contrasting starts to the season but have gone off the boil recently.
In terms of claycourt pedigree, Shelton is 2-4, with both wins coming this year. Meanwhile, Bublik has gone 12-23. Considering his superior experience, expect Bublik to beat his left-handed opponent.
Pick: Bublik in three sets
