Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Washington match.
The quarter-final in Washington features an all-American clash between two of the country’s leading players — Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. Both are looking to emulate last year’s strong showing, which saw them reach the semi-finals.
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton has looked dominant throughout the tournament, progressing with authority through the draw. He has yet to drop a set or face a break point, converting five of his seven break opportunities. The American secured straight-set wins over Mackenzie McDonald (6:3, 6:4) and Gabriel Diallo (6:3, 6:2), without conceding a set or facing a single break point in either match. In return games, Ben broke serve five times and allowed his opponents a combined total of just 12 points. However, his head-to-head record against Frances Tiafoe remains a concern, having lost at least one set in all three of their previous meetings.
Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe has also delivered a solid performance in Washington, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic (7:5, 3:6, 6:3) and Flavio Cobolli (6:1, 6:4). Across those two matches, he fired 20 aces and won 81% of points behind his first serve. However, his first serve percentage overall has been modest at 56%, and Frances has averaged 3.5 double faults per match — a statistic that raises some concern. Further compounding the issue is his recent track record against left-handers, with five losses in seven matches since the beginning of 2024.
Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe Prediction
Shelton looks the more composed and consistent of the two at this stage. His current level of play suggests he is well-positioned for success, while Tiafoe has shown some signs of vulnerability. That said, Frances is likely to put up a strong fight and should pose a significant challenge to his younger compatriot.
