Ben Shelton will take on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard for the Swiss Indoors Basel title. The American already picked up an ATP 500 trophy in Tokyo last year, while his opponent is seeking his first success at this level. Which of the two big servers will be that tiny bit more vulnerable? Who do you think will come out on top at ATP Basel?
ATP Basel Final Prediction
Ben Shelton vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: Mpetshi Perricard 1-0
This year hasn’t featured the incredible highlights of Ben Shelton’s 2023 campaign, but it hasn’t been a bad effort from the American and he’s definitely a bit more stable now. One huge result to (almost) end the year will help him to come back even stronger in 2024. Shelton eliminated the top-seeded Andrey Rublev this week and avenged his recent Tokyo quarterfinal loss to Arthur Fils, coming back from 0-5 in the second set tie-break.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard went to sleep after his Lyon title and Wimbledon fourth-round run. Coming into Basel, the Frenchman had posted just two wins in his previous eight events and was back to his very inconsistent, extremely serve-oriented version from before his early 2024 breakthrough. Sometimes a sudden boost comes when you least expect it though and Mpetshi Perricard snapped the Basel win streak of Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round, later taking out Holger Rune in the semifinals.
Mpetshi Perricard defeated Shelton in their only meeting so far (Queen’s Club this season). It doesn’t take a great analyst to understand that this matchup, especially on a pretty quick indoor court, will be all about the servers. Break chances will be rare and it’s the details that will matter on key points. Both players are up there with the best servers in the Top 50 and also with the worst returners. Is Shelton the better player in the conventional meaning of the world? Probably yes, he’s more dynamic and versatile. But it’s not guaranteed to matter when things are all about one point here or there.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
