Flavio Cobolli vs Ben Shelton Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Washington Citi Open

Prediction published on 03/08/2024, 00:29  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 03/08/2024 at 06:48 in Tennis Predictions

Second seed Ben Shelton will take on 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the semi-finals of the Washington Open. The winner will play Sebastian Korda, Andrey Rublev or Frances Tiafoe in the final. Here’s our analysis of the match and a prediction.

Cobolli has advanced to yet another tour semi-final in 2024. Before this year, he had never advanced as far at tour-level tournaments and here he will be eyeing a maiden tour title. The Italian reached the semis in Geneva and on his way, saw off Shelton in three sets.

That was their very first encounter and he will be looking to break American hearts once again. Cobolli defeated 15th seed Alex Michelsen in three sets in the quarters. He has now compiled a 32-21 record where 17 of his wins have been on hard courts. Reaching this round sees the 22-year-old break into the ATP top 50. He is now placed 42nd in the live ranking.

Shelton advanced ahead of Denis Shapovalov to the last four. Their quarter-final matchup came to a premature end in the second set with Shapovalov being disqualified. Shelton had taken the first set by way of a tiebreaker and the second set was locked at 6-6.

Shapovalov defaulted after an altercation with a fan. Shelton hasn’t looked smooth in DC. To begin his campaign, he needed a decider to oust the qualifier Radu Albot. In his next match, he won in straight sets against Brandon Nakashima but needed a tiebreaker in each set.

Shelton, who won the title in Houston, has suffered two semi-final losses this year - one coming stateside in Dallas. The world number 14 has improved to 25-17 for the season with 11 of his wins now coming on hard courts.