Barcelona Open: Casper Ruud vs Ben Shelton Tennis Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Barcelona Open second-round match featuring Casper Ruud vs Ben Shelton on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Ruud vs Shelton Match Preview and Prediction

Third seed Casper Ruud faces American lefty Ben Shelton for the second time in the series at the 2023 Barcelona Open. Who will prevail?

Casper Ruud has won five of his last six matches, with his only defeat coming in Monte Carlo last week losing to an in-form Jan-Lennard Struff. It’s been great to see the Norwegian problem-solve his way into form during this clay swing and we can only he remains consistent for the remainder of the season. Ruud will battle Ben Shelton at the Barcelona Open in a match that could have its own unique challenges. Can the third seed exact on his loss to the 20-year-old in Cincinnati last season?

Ben Shelton, meanwhile, scored the second Tour-level win of his career on clay, beating Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 6-4. Shelton fired nine aces and won 65% first-serve points. He was able to break McDonald’s serve five times and was solid throughout from the baseline. Can he keep up this level and upset Casper Ruud for the second time at the 2023 Barcelona Open?

Ruud vs Shelton Prediction and Pick

Ben Shelton leads Casper Ruud 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning that match at the Cincinnati Masters last year. He’s unlikely to have the freedom of outhitting Ruud at the Barcelona Open where the trajectory and pace of the ball are heavily impacted by the slow surface. This will test Shelton’s endurance and rally tolerance which is still a work in progress. Expect the experienced Ruud to exact revenge.