Ben Shelton, the No. 6 seed, is set to face veteran David Goffin in the Round of 64 at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters. This highly anticipated matchup will occur on Friday, marking Shelton’s return following his retirement at the US Open last month. The winner will advance to face either Gabriel Diallo or Benjamin Bonzi in the next round.
Ben Shelton’s Season Overview
The 22-year-old American has had a remarkable season thus far. He began the year strong with a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open and continued to build momentum with impressive results. Shelton reached the finals at the BMW Open in Munich and showcased his talent with semifinal finishes in both Stuttgart and Washington, D.C. He solidified his place as a contender with a title victory at the Canada Masters. Shelton holds a win-loss record of 37-18 for the 2025 season.
David Goffin’s Journey
In contrast, 34-year-old David Goffin, currently ranked No. 83 in the ATP standings, began his season with significant challenges, including five consecutive losses. However, a quarterfinal finish in Acapulco reinvigorated his campaign. Goffin notably achieved a victory over World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Miami before reaching the quarterfinals in Munich. His recent performance includes a Round of 128 win in Shanghai against Muller, with a score of 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical match-up between Shelton and Goffin currently favors the Belgian, who leads with one win. Goffin defeated Shelton in straight sets during the Round of 16 at the 2025 Acapulco event.
| Event | Round | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acapulco | Round of 16 | David Goffin | 7-6(3), 6-3 |
Match Prediction and Betting Odds
In this upcoming clash, Shelton will be looking to gauge his match fitness. He comes in as the favorite due to his superior serving and powerful forehand. An aggressive player, Shelton aims to keep Goffin on the run with his sharp angles. Goffin, on the other hand, will likely target Shelton’s backhand, where the young American has shown notable improvement.
Betting Odds
Current odds for the match indicate that Shelton is favored to win at 3/10, while Goffin is the underdog at 5/2. This reflects an implied probability of 74% for Shelton’s victory.
- Ben Shelton Win: 3/10
- David Goffin Win: 5/2
- Total Games > 22.5: 10/11
- Shelton -3.5 (Game Handicap): 17/20
- Goffin +3.5 (Game Handicap): 22/25
- Shelton -1.5 (Set Handicap): 17/20
- Total Sets 1-2: 12/25
- Total Number of Tiebreaks: 8/11
- Total Games By Shelton > 12.5: 16/25
- Total Games By Goffin > 10.5: 41/50
This matchup promises to be an exciting battle at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, with both players eager to secure a victory and progress to the next stage.
