Preview: Ben Shelton Vs. Corentin Moutet – prediction, form, head-to-head

Ben Shelton looking to bounce back from his Basel final defeat when he returns to the pitch at Paris Masters against home player and left wing mate Corentin Moutet.

The American player was sentenced to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in this tournament opener, but the Canadian’s withdrawal with a season-ending back injury means the 22-year-old will face Moutet on Tuesday instead.

Match preview

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Although Shelton was backed to triumph in Baselthe American couldn’t find an answer to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard‘s flourishing serve at the ATP 500 decider, falling 6-4, 7-6(4) to the Frenchman.

Despite his defeat in the championship match, the 22-year-old rose to 19th place after a commendable run in his Basel debut and is aiming for an encouraging display at the Paris Masters.

Although his best showing at ATP 1000 events this year came in Cincinnati, Shelton enters the ongoing competition without a tournament-opening loss in such events this season.

That stands him in good stead as he looks to improve on his 11-7 record in 1,000 games this season ahead of a potential meeting with Jannik Sinner in round two.

The exuberant American cannot afford to look too far ahead against Moutet, who has the tools to trouble the world No.19’s progress.

The Frenchman – ranked No. 70 – came through qualifying to make the main draw at his home tournament and is keen to beat his higher-ranked opponent and twice ATP Tour champion.

However, Moutet is 11-15 on Tour this season and 1-5 in Masters events, highlighting the challenge the Frenchman faces against Shelton.

With the 25-year-old’s only main draw victory against Roman Safiullin in Rome, he enters his home tournament on an 0-3 run at ATP 1000 events, where he recently finished in the first round against Aleksandar Vukic in Shanghai.

While Moutet is unheralded, stranger things have happened on tour and he hopes to take advantage of likely having the most fans in his corner against his higher-ranked opponent.

Head to head

Both players meet for the first time on the men’s singles tour, with the winner advancing to Sinner.

Shelton is 5-2 this year against left-handed opponents, though they face and defeat Denis Shapovalov three times, and is trying to record a sixth in Tuesday’s game.

By contrast, Moutet is 3-5 against fellow lefties this year and lost the last three before the Paris event.

We say: Shelton wins in two sets

Unless he carries some of that Basel disappointment into the final Masters event in 2024, Shelton’s plodding serve and hard-hitting style should overpower Moutet in the pair’s first tour-level meeting.

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