Monte-Carlo 2023: Dimitrov vs Shelton Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters first-round match featuring Grigor Dimitrov vs Ben Shelton on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

Dimitrov vs Shelton Match Preview and Prediction

Two-time semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov will kick off his Monte-Carlo Masters campaign against the fast-rising American Ben Shelton. Will the Bulgarian one-hander navigate a tricky opener?

Grigor Dimitrov has a great record at the Monte-Carlo Masters, making the semifinals twice and the quarterfinal on two occasions too. It’s no surprise for a man with an elegant style of play that suits all courts and is one the top stars currently living in Monaco. But besides that, Dimitrov knows he is in for a humdinger on Tuesday when he opens up his clay-court account against Ben Shelton.

Ben Shelton got a taste of clay-court action for the first time on the senior tour at last week’s Estoril Open. Shelton spoke highly of the surface, the city, and the tournament, as he lost in the round of 16 to Dominic Thiem. But he did get his first win on the board, beating Constant Lestienne in straight sets. Let’s see how he will fare in his first Masters 1000 tournament on clay.

Dimitrov vs Shelton Prediction and Pick

Grigor Dimitrov and Ben Shelton have not clashed on the ATP Tour, with this first-round match at the Monte-Carlo Masters being their first official meeting. Dimitrov has never lost an opening match at the Principality and as I mentioned at the top of the article, he’s got that vibrance and style to excel on any surface. Nonetheless, I still expect him to encounter a few speedbumps against Shelton who has struck some love affair with the clay in his maiden ATP tournament on the surface, but expect the experienced Bulgarian to edge it.