Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima Preview & Prediction | 2025 Australian Open | First Round

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An intriguing all-American first round clash lies ahead here between Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima.

Start date/time: Sunday 12th January, 2025, UK – not before 2:00am / Saturday 11th January, US ET – not before 9:00pm / US PT – not before 6:00pm

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Eurosport / US – ESPN+

How to watch online: UK – Eurosport website & discovery+ / US – ESPN+ platforms

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima ticket information

Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima Prediction

Despite being just 22-year-old, Ben Shelton is an imposing figure on the court at 6ft 4in and the American has never been eliminated earlier than the third round in each of his two previous Australian Open outings. Shelton suffered a Round of 16 exit in Auckland at his final tournament prior to this Grand Slam.

Shelton has reason to be confident having gotten the better of Brandon Nakashima on an outdoor hard court only last year in Washington. Nakashima has never made it beyond the first round at the Australian Open and didn’t qualify for the main draw last year. Of the four Grand Slams, this is by far his weakest.

The ground game of Shelton is well-suited to this competition and his notoriously powerful serve should prove extremely potent here against Nakashima. Take Shelton to win this battle of young USA talents.

Ben Shelton vs Brandon Nakashima Tip: Ben Shelton to win