Ben Shelton vs Taro Daniel Prediction & Betting Tips - ASB Classic

Prediction published on 11/01/2024, 08:08  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 11/01/2024 at 09:24 in Tennis Predictions

Top seed Ben Shelton is up against the unseeded Taro Daniel in the ASB Classic semi-final. We could see a final between two unseeded players if Daniel beats Shelton and Alejandro Tabilo can get past sixth seed Arthur Fils. We don't believe that will happen though and Shelton is the deserved favorite to win his semi-final. The American loves it in Australia having reached the quarter finals of the Australian Open in 2023. He's currently ranked 16th which is one place below his career high. This is his second tournament of the new year. Last week saw him lose in the last 32 of the Brisbane International to Roman Safiullin. It's gone much smoother for the 21-year-old with two straight sets wins over Fabio Marozsan and Roberto Carballes Baena, dropping seven games in both matches. He's won both of his previous matches against Daniel. Both were played last year and the most recent one was on a hard court which is the surface for this tournament.

The other meeting was a titanic five-setter on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Daniel is the big outsider in this match and is currently a career high equalling 64th in the live rankings, ten places higher than when this tournament began. Daniel lost to Miomir Kecmanovic in his opening event of the year in Hong Kong. This week has seen him win three matches to reach this semi-final. He didn't lose a set in his first two matches but then had to go to a final set to defeat Alexandre Muller. Shelton is a much tougher opponent and we tip him to win in straight sets.