Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Ben Shelton Preview & Prediction | 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters | First Round

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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain takes on American and 11th seed Ben Shelton in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Ranking points: ATP 1000

Start date/time: Monday 7th April, 2025: UK – not before 1:30pm / US ET – not before 8:30am / US PT – not before 5:30am

Venue: Monte Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Ben Shelton ticket information

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Ben Shelton prediction

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has already reached two finals on the ATP Tour this season, though lost out in both. At the Delray Beach Open, he beat top seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the quarter-final but came up short against Miomir Kecmanovic in the final.

He then beat the likes of Frances Tiafoe and Denis Shapovalov at the Mexican Open but came unstuck against Tomas Machac, losing in straight sets. Davidovich Fokina has shown how good he can be at this event, having made the final in 2022 where he lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Shelton has not been at his best since making the semi-finals of the Australian Open and suffered a surprise defeat at the Miami Open against Coleman Wong in the second round after receiving a bye. 

Davidovich Fokina won the only previous encounter between the pair in Paris two years ago and his game is more suited to the European clay. We’re backing the Spaniard to beat the 11th seed and advance through to the second round.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Ben Shelton tip: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to win