Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton prediction, betting tips & odds, head-to-head, preview: Cincinnati Open 2025

Zverev and Shelton face off in a Cincinnati Open rematch for another chapter in their head-to-head rivalry.

Alexander Zverev is one step closer to reliving his 2021 title run at the Cincinnati Open. The German’s fourth round rival and the 2025 Canadian Open finalist Karen Khachanov threw in the towel when trailing a set down and 3-0 to Zverev. The Russian sought the help of a physio, but was unable to continue on another warm day in Cincinnati.

Ben Shelton ensured the weather wasn’t the only talking point on Thursday. The American has extended his red-hot streak to nine with a victory over Jiri Lehecka, including his title run in Canada, after the 6-4, 6-4 defeat of the Czech in just 81 minutes.

The 22-year-old Shelton’s entry into the last eight makes him the first American man to reach the quarter-finals in Canada and Cincinnati in the same season since Mardy Fish in 2012.

Fifth seed Shelton fired eight aces, including a 141 mph (226 kmh) scorcher when serving for the match. The World No. 6 extends his head-to-head to 2-0 over Lehecka after the win.

Shelton will cross paths with familiar foe Zverev for a chance to play in the last four. If Shelton finds a way past Zverev, a Top 5 debut in the ATP Rankings is guaranteed.

Match Details

• Tournament: Cincinnati Open 2025
• Round: Quarter-finals
• Date: August 16
• Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Centre, Cincinnati, United States
• Surface: Hard

ALSO READ: Cincinnati Open 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, & live streaming details

Preview

Ben Shelton’s presence in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Cincinnati Open marks the first time he has reached the last eight at Masters 1000s back-to-back.

In the tussle between two top ten players, Zverev will attempt to end Shelton’s nine-match winning streak. A victory for Shelton will be a significant milestone for the 22-year-old, as it will be his first win over a top-three player on the ATP Tour.

Zverev coped with a rain delay to defeat Brandon Nakashima at Cincinnati, 6-4, 6-4, before an injury-related withdrawal by Karen Khachanov gave the German easy passage into the last eight.

Shelton will hope to do what countryman Frances Tiafoe could not – become the first American to win in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick in 2006. Tiafoe took on Jannik Sinner in the title round last year, but succumbed to the Italian in straight sets. 

It will be interesting to see if the change in surface to hard courts could have a positive effect on Shelton’s fortunes against Zverev. Their previous two meetings this year took place on different surfaces – Munich on clay and Stuttgart on grass.

Form

• Alexander Zverev: W-W-W-L-W
• Ben Shelton: W-W-W-W-W

Head-to-head record

• Matches: 3
• Alexander Zverev: 3
• Ben Shelton: 0

Stats

Alexander Zverev:

• Zverev has a 42-15 win-loss record in the 2025 season.
• Zverev has a 15-8 win-loss record in Cincinnati.
• Zverev has won 69% of matches played on hard courts.

Ben Shelton:

• Shelton has a 35-16 win-loss record in the 2025 season.
• Shelton has a 9-3 win-loss record in Cincinnati.
• Shelton has won 63% of matches played on hard courts.

ALSO READ: Cincinnati Open 2025: All you need to know about prize money & points on offer

Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton: Betting tips and odds

• Moneyline: Zverev -143, Shelton +134.
• Spread: Zverev -1.5 (-115), Shelton +1.5 (-120).
• Total Games: Over 25.5 (-110), Under 25.5 (-110).
• 1st Set Winner: Zverev -135, Shelton +110.
• 1st Set Total Games: Over 10.5 (+125), Under 10.5 (-149)

Match Prediction

Zverev has been like a brick wall for Shelton, having won all of their previous meetings. It will be familiar conditions for both, having first met in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals a year ago. Zverev upstaged Shelton to post a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.

The next two meetings took place this year, with Zverev taking both wins in straight sets. The first one was a 6-2, 6-4 victory in the finals at Munich, followed by a 7-6(8), 7-6(1) in the semifinals at Stuttgart.

Shelton heads into the quarter-final with a 12–1 record since the start of the North American hard-court swing in Washington.

Zverev is a strong performer at the venue and has made the last four in his previous three appearances at the ATP 1000 event. The German will target his fourth consecutive semi-final appearance against Shelton.

The American looks like a different player since they last met in Stuttgart. He is more focused and has upped his game by playing consistent tennis. Yet, there is a real danger that his efforts in Canada will hinder his campaign, as it did with Khachanov.

Given Zverev’s 3-0 head-to-head lead over Shelton, the No. 3 seed is likely to claim another win over the American if he performs at his best.

Prediction: Zverev will win in three sets.

Where and how to watch the live telecast and streaming of Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton, quarter-final match at the Cincinnati Open 2025?

Indian viewers can watch the 2025 Cincinnati Open quarter-final between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton on the Sony TEN Network and its streaming service, SonyLIV.

Sky UK will handle the coverage within the United Kingdom, while the Tennis Channel takes over in the United States.

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