I’m not the player I want to be yet, but I’m working towards it for sure,” a confident Ben Shelton said on Thursday after making his way into the semifinal of the BMW Open this week. Having not performed up to the mark in his previous two events (Miami and Monte Carlo Masters), the World No.15 has found his way back to a winning momentum in Munich. But the journey is still far from over for the 22-year-old American ATP star. On Saturday, he will look to seal his spot in the championship battle when he takes on Argentinian rival Francisco Cerundolo. So, who’s going to emerge as the finalist? Let’s try to find out.
Ben Shelton v Francisco Cerundolo: Preview
Ben Shelton kicked off his 2025 season with an amazing campaign down under. He became the youngest American in 22 years to reach the Australian Open semifinal, after Andy Roddick in 2003. He also entered the QF round of the Indian Wells Masters last month. However, Shelton suffered a setback with a shocking exit at the Miami Open, in the first round, at the hands of 173-ranked Coleman Wong. Following this defeat, the American failed to impress at the Monte Carlo Masters as well, where he was ousted in the R64. Spanish pro Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat him with a score line of 6-7, 6-2, 6-1.
However, Shelton seems to have regained his lost form this week at the BMW Open. He began his campaign with a win over Croatia’s Borna Gojo. But it was a tough match, as he had to bounce back after losing the first set. In the next two sets, he outplayed Gojo in back-to-back tiebreaks. With a final score line of 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3), Shelton moved into R16. There, the American went past Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp to seal his QF spot.
In the R8, Shelton beat Italy’s Luciano Darderi on Thursday, with a comfortable score line of 6-4, 6-3 to enter his second clay court SF round after last year’s ATP Houston where he won the title as well.
Aug 8, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Ben Shelton (USA) reacts after a point against Alexei Popyrin (AUS) (not pictured) in second round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of his Argentinian opponent, Francisco Cerundolo, well, he has consistently reached the business end of most events this season. Although he began the season on a losing note, crashing out of the ASB Classic in R16, the 26-year-old bounced back quickly. At the Australian Open, he managed to reach the third round. Then, a month later, in February, Cerundolo made it to the final of the Argentina Open. Unfortunately, he couldn’t lift the trophy there, as he lost to the 18-year-old rising phenom João Fonseca.
In the next four events (Rio, Chile, Indian Wells, and Miami), he showed stable form as well. entering R8, R4, R8, and R8 of these tournaments respectively. In his last event at the Monte Carlo Masters, however, Cerundolo was ousted in R32 itself. But it appears the 26-year-old has found his winning momentum at the BMW Open. He reached the semifinal round by defeating Belgium’s David Goffin on Thursday with a score line of 6-2, 6-4.
Shelton vs Cerundolo: Head-to-Head
Both players have faced each other only once. Currently, Shelton leads the h2h tally 1-0 against Cerundolo.
2024 Indian Wells Masters R32: Shelton 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(5)
Prediction: Ben Shelton to win in straight sets
Ben Shelton is trailing slightly behind Francisco Cerundolo when it comes to the win-loss record this season. While the American has won 13 of his 20 matches so far, the Argentinian has a stellar 20-8 win-loss record. In short, he’s got a higher win percentage of 71.4. When it comes to event history, it’s Shelton’s maiden BMW Open campaign, and it’s the same for Creundolo as well. He is also playing this tournament for the first time in his career.
As far as their playing styles are concerned, Shelton’s powerful serves don’t need an introduction. He’s already hit more than 140 aces this season. Add to that his solid groundstrokes as well, and his strategy to approach the net to build pressure on his opponents. He is also very efficient both with his forehands as well as backhands.
Cerundolo, on the other hand, gets good topspin on his forehand. It has become his reliable weapon lately. Combine that with his ability to control the baseline with ease as well. He is a very effective player.
While Cerundolo may have an edge in the win-loss record this year, Shelton is still likely to dominate Cerundolo in this match. The prediction is for the American lefty to win this match in straight sets and advance to the final.
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