When Ben Shelton broke into the highest 100 of ATP rankings, American followers held skyrocketing expectations for him. His explosive serve and forehand makes him a severe risk on any floor, particularly grass. Nevertheless, the plush inexperienced courts of Wimbledon rewards expertise as a lot because it does to abilities. The American has needed to battle via his grass court docket matches this yr, however he seems to be in fine condition heading into 2nd spherical.
Nevertheless, Shelton’s spherical two opponent, is a forgotten hero, discovering his manner again into the highest of males’s tennis. Lloyd Harris, former world quantity 31, has had a tough couple of years. Within the grass season, he lastly appears to search out his momentum again. Will he spoil the social gathering for American tennis followers?
Ben Shelton vs Llyod Harris: Wimbledon Spherical 1 Preview
Shelton’s had a troublesome time adjusting to grass courts. He’s solely received two of the 5 matches on the floor this yr. Nevertheless, turning down the 1-2 deficit in opposition to Mattia Bellucci will do his confidence a world of excellent. The world quantity 14 has solely performed ten grass-court matches in his profession with 4 wins to his title. Regardless of the novice numbers, Shelton has proven promise in abundance and won’t go down simply.
through Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Garden Tennis and Croquet Membership, London, Britain – July 2, 2024 Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates profitable his first spherical match in opposition to Italy’s Mattia Bellucci REUTERS/Paul Childs
Lloyd Harris, in the meantime, is buzzing with confidence. He demoted himself to challenger stage tennis to realize again some rating factors, and it paid dividends. The South African has received 12 of his 14 grass court docket matches this yr, albeit primarily in Challengers and qualifiers. His comeback from two units down in opposition to Michelsen was fairly extraordinary and he will likely be seeking to search out one other American at present.
Ben Shelton vs Lloyd Harris: Head-to-Head
Harris and Shelton have by no means crossed paths earlier than of their profession. The Wimbledon spherical 2 conflict would be the first assembly between them.
Prediction:
Shelton and Harris are fairly similar gamers. They depend on their large serve to shut out video games shortly and infrequently find yourself enjoying tiebreakers. Shelton’s far superior forehand and internet play makes him an even bigger risk. Nevertheless, Harris is aware of precisely the way to deal with this. The South African will exploit Shelton’s poor return of serve and are available out on high throughout large moments together with his dependable shot tolerance.
Harris’ notched up 128 aces in his ten challenger grass-court matches this yr. Compared, Shelton registered 56 of these in 4 tour-level matches earlier than Wimbledon. Nevertheless, of their Wimbledon openers, Harris’ 34 aces outclassed Shelton’s tally of 19. The American received 74% of his first serve factors whereas Harris recorded a whopping 87% for a similar. In a extremely serve dominant battle, these numbers are going to be the deal breakers.
Last Verdict: Lloyd Harris to win the match in 5 units. The match will embrace a few tiebreakers, a number of aces (most coming from Harris’ racquet), and presumably over 45 video games.
