Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton's match-up at the 2024 Laver Cup on Saturday promises rich entertainment.
With Team Europe and Team World evenly matched after the opening day, two points for a win on day two adds to the intrigue in the race to accrue 13 points.
Match preview
Alcaraz's first taste of the Laver Cup did not go according to plan, as he and Alexander Zverev lost out to Shelton and 2024 US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz in straight sets.
That loss for Team Europe saw Team World end the day one level at 2-2 heading into Saturday's matches, with Daniil Medvedev and Frances Tiafoe starting the second at lunchtime.
Alcaraz aims to record success in his first singles match on his Laver Cup debut but must shake off possible nerves and flush out the doubles loss from his system.
The world No. 3 may have completed the Channel Slam in record time, becoming the youngest to clinch the titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but has minimal experience at this tournament.
He faces Shelton who continued his undefeated Laver Cup run in Friday's doubles win over the Alcaraz-Zverev pair, notching a third doubles success.
The effervescent 21-year-old American's only singles match at the event came in last year's day one two-set win over Arthur Fils, but stakes are higher against Alcaraz, with victory guaranteeing two points.
A fourth win overall across singles and doubles means the young player has notched six points from an available six and aims to make that eight from eight to either increase Team World's advantage or level proceedings again, depending on the lunchtime Medvedev-Tiafoe tussle.
It remains to be seen if Shelton stuns the three-time Grand Slam champion on their second match-up but hopes his Laver Cup experience stands him in good stead to defeat this year's second-highest-ranked player at the event.
Head To Head
Canadian Open (2023) - Round of 32: Alcaraz 6-3 7-6(3)
Alcaraz's only meeting with Shelton on the ATP Tour was at the Canadian Open last year, clinching a 6-3, 7-6(3) success over the American.
However, much has changed for both players since, with Shelton's serve and improved court coverage genuine threats to his opponent.
Both players have been tour-level champions this year, albeit with the Spaniard winning three to the 2024 US Open quarter-finalist's one.
We say: Shelton to win in three sets
Although Alcaraz enters any match as a favourite for success, Shelton's serve and ball striking pose a threat to the Spaniard, and we back the American to stun the Laver Cup debutant in Match six of this year's event.
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