Ben Shelton vs Rinky Hijikata

Wimbledon – Ben Shelton vs Rinky Hijikata

🧠 Form & Context

Ben Shelton

• 🎯 Clutch genes: Entered Wimbledon on a four-match losing streak but snapped it in style with a composed straight-sets win over Alex Bolt—sealing two tiebreaks to prove his nerve.
• 🏆 Grand Slam prowess: Already has three Slam quarterfinals under his belt and reached the R16 at Wimbledon last year. The big stage consistently brings out his best tennis.
• 🌱 Improving grass game: While still raw on the surface, his lefty serve and aggressive style have translated better this season, including a Stuttgart semifinal run.
• 🧱 High volume, mixed success: His 2025 record (20–15) is erratic, but his peak level can overwhelm almost anyone outside the top 10 when he’s locked in.

Rinky Hijikata

• 📉 Struggling season: Came into Wimbledon with a 3-match losing streak and had not won a main-draw ATP match since April.
• 🔥 R1 confidence boost: Dispatched an underprepared Goffin in under two hours, 6–3, 6–1, 6–1, ending his skid and not facing a single break point.
• 🚫 Top-tier problem: Owns a 0–15 career record against top-20 opponents. Lost both previous Slam R2 matches to Dimitrov and Tsitsipas.
• 📈 Underdog spirit: Capable on grass and upset-prone when underestimated, but will need a level he’s yet to show in 2025 to push Shelton.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is their fourth meeting (Shelton leads 2–1) and second on grass. The American dominated their Mallorca 2024 encounter 6–4, 6–0, and stylistically holds all the cards again here.

Shelton’s lefty serve is lethal on grass, and his return game has made strides, especially against one-dimensional baseliners like Hijikata. While Rinky plays with heart and has a solid backhand, he lacks the weapons to dictate points on this surface—particularly against someone with Shelton’s pace, angles, and presence.

If Shelton maintains focus and keeps his unforced errors in check, Hijikata will struggle to extend rallies or get into return games. The Aussie will need a near-perfect serving day and hope Shelton’s inconsistency shows up, but that seems unlikely at a Slam, where Shelton often raises his level.

🔮 Prediction

Shelton has the power, the Slam mindset, and the edge in every meaningful metric here. Barring a massive drop in level, he should handle this professionally.

Pick:

Ben Shelton to win in straight sets

📊 Tale of the Tape

• Head-to-head: Shelton leads 2–1 (1–0 on grass)
• 2025 Grass Record: Shelton 3–4 | Hijikata 4–3
• Top-20 Record: Shelton 6–7 | Hijikata 0–15
• Wimbledon Best: Shelton R16 (2024) | Hijikata R2 (First time if wins here)