A packed third-round competition is scheduled for Thursday in Paris, including a showdown between Ben Shelton and Andrey Rublev. Alexander Zverev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina are also in action.
(5) Ben Shelton vs. (12) Andrei Rublev
Shelton and Rublev will face off for the second time in their careers when they compete in the third round of the Rolex Paris Masters on Thursday. Their only previous meeting also took place on an indoor hard court, with Shelton prevailing 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4 en route to the 2024 Basel final.
Both guys could really use a deep run this week. Shelton is in the process of coming back from a shoulder injury suffered at the US Open, and his match record in his comeback is 2-2 after Tuesday’s 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Flavio Cobolli. Rublev had not won a match since the US Open (0-4) – with his losses coming to opponents ranked 88th, 25th, 173rd and 35th – before ending the skid with Paris defeats of Jake Fearnley and Learner Tien. Unfortunately for the world number 17, Shelton is a big step up in the competition and the American’s shoulder appears to be fine. Now that the fifth seed has shaken off much of the rust, he should be able to secure a quarter-final spot in Paris.
Choice: Shelton in 3
(15) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. (3) Alexander Zverev
Zverev is the defending champion at the Paris Masters; Davidovich Fokina does still looking for his first ATP title after losing another finals last weekend. One player’s quest will come to an end when they collide for the seventh time in their careers on Thursday. Zverev leads the head-to-head series 5-1, but they have played three matches since the German last won in straight sets – a stretch that also includes Davidovich Fokina’s only success at the 2023 Toronto Masters. Zverev recently scored a 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0) win at this year’s Madrid Masters.
Another good one should be in the cards. Zverev is a big favorite, but he needed a tight three-setter on Wednesday to pass Camilo Ugo Carabelli. While Davidovich Fokina is playing great, fatigue must be a factor. The 15th-ranked German finished second to Joao Fonseca in Basel last week and used plenty of physical and emotional energy – especially from the fans – in a tough 7-6(5), 6-4 defeat to Frenchman Arthur Cazaux on Wednesday. This was preceded by a three-set victory over Valentin Royer. In what will likely be a grueling baseline battle under slow conditions, Davidovich Fokina may eventually run out of gas.
Choice: Zverev and 3
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