Jannik Sinner versus Ben Shelton Shanghai Masters preview

Jannik Sinner inched closer to finishing 2024 as the No. 1 ranked player by reaching the final of the China Open last week, losing an epic match to Carlos Alcaraz. His continued high level, despite the anxiety he undoubtedly feels from the World Anti-Doping Agency appealing his case for taking a banned substance, is impressive.

The Italian may need his best tennis to keep that momentum going in the Shanghai Masters round of 16. Ben Shelton, who has impressed in five-set matches this season, is a dangerous foe for anybody at his best.

Last year's US Open semifinalist defeated Sinner at this stage of the Shanghai Masters last year, which will give him additional belief.

Jannik Sinner versus Ben Shelton head-to-head and recent form

Shelton won a thrilling match 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in Shanghai last year. However, he has had no luck since then. Sinner won their subsequent three matches at the Vienna Open, Indian Wells Open, and Wimbledon without dropping a set. That outlines the 23-year-old's outstanding improvements in the last 12 months.

Sinner did not play near his best in the opening two rounds. He defeated Taro Daniel in straight sets before needing three sets to overcome Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Italian was not at the level of his amazing China Open final against Alcaraz, but he did not need to be.

Shelton reached the quarterfinal of the Japan Open last week. He was the defending champion at the tournament in Tokyo but lost a very tight match 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 to fellow young star Arthur Fils. The American responded well to that loss by easily beating Denis Shapovalov and Roberto Carballes Baena in Shanghai.

The difficult balancing act for Shelton in this matchup

Shelton's formidable serve firing on all cylinders is essential to have a chance against Sinner. But what to do when the return comes back has caused him issues in their last few matches. While Shelton is comfortable coming to the net, he must choose the right moments against a returner as good as Sinner.

Last year's Japan Open champion has sometimes gone for too much and panicked in the rallies in the previous three matches against Sinner. It is true that Shelton cannot consistently out-rally the Italian and needs to mix things up to keep him guessing, but he should also trust his abilities more to stay in rallies and not routinely attempt unrealistic winners.

But could the conditions save Shelton from needing to worry about that?

A fast outdoor hard court represents Shelton's best chance of beating Sinner, as he showed in Shanghai last year. Although the conditions in Shanghai are not as quick as they once were, they are still speedier than most tournaments. That gives Shelton a better chance of guaranteeing himself a tiebreak by consistently holding.

The trade-off is that Shelton's own chances of breaking are reduced. However, despite the talent Shelton undoubtedly possesses, Sinner's overall game is better than the American's. Keeping the sets close with few breaks in the match probably represents Shelton's best chance of prevailing against Sinner once again.

More Seahawks news and analysis: