Christopher O'Connell vs Ben Shelton Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 15/01/2024, 12:50  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/01/2024 at 13:50 in ATP Australian Open Predictions

Ben Shelton reached the quarter finals of the Australian Open last year. He's made a good start to this year's tournament and takes on unseeded Christopher O'Connell in round two. Shelton is the 16th seed for this hard court Grand Slam and also in that position in the live rankings. The American struggled at times to build on his success here last year but later in the year got to the last four of the US Open. The 21-year-old has made a good start to the new year and reached the semi-finals of the Adelaide International. In the first round of this tournament he beat Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. The winner of this match will face either 20th seed Adrian Mannarino or unseeded Jaume Munar in the last 32.

Chris O'Connell was ranked 68th when this tournament got underway but is up six places in the live rankings. The Australian beat Cristian Garin in the first round but it wasn't an easy win. He trailed 1-0 and 2-1 before winning the fifth set. That victory took him into the second round of his home Grand Slam for only the third time. A win over Shelton will see him equal his best of a third round appearance two years ago. O'Connell got to the quarter final of the Adelaide International in his last tournament, losing to Sebastian Korda. This could be close but we tip Shelton to get the win.