Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Finals match.
Ben Shelton and Félix Auger-Aliassime, after opening losses, will try to claim their first win at the Nitto ATP Finals. The opponents have met only once, which the Canadian won.
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton had a breakthrough season: he broke into the top five of the rankings, won a title at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. He posted a 40:22 record this season, but indoors he has a modest four wins and four losses. His main weapons are his left-handed spin serve and sustained pressure in rallies, but against top-10 opponents, he has lost 8 of 9 matches. At the ATP Finals, he started with a defeat to Alexander Zverev (3:6, 6:7): he reached a tie-break in the second set but conceded two break points to the German.
Félix Auger-Aliassime
Félix Auger-Aliassime is in strong form: three titles (including the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open) and a final at the Rolex Paris Masters. He also has an impressive 50:25 record, and in his last 14 matches he has lost only three times, including twice to Jannik Sinner. He opened the ATP Finals against Sinner (5:7, 1:6), serving nine aces, but the Italian has been outstanding this season. He defeated Ben Shelton last year on clay at Roland Garros, and the American did not take a set.
Ben Shelton vs Félix Auger-Aliassime Prediction
We expect Ben Shelton to apply power and sustained serve pressure and to take a set, but Félix Auger-Aliassime, with his own powerful serve and better recent results indoors, should have the higher floor over the course of the match. Our lean is towards Auger-Aliassime keeping this close at worst and more likely prevailing.
