Top Bets for ATP Australian Open: Shelton vs. Ruud Clash

The ATP Australian Open is heating up as Ben Shelton prepares to face Casper Ruud in the 1/8-finals. The match is scheduled for January 26, 2026, at 10:30 CEST. With a head-to-head record of 1-2 against Ruud, Shelton seeks to level this matchup.

Player Form Overview

Ben Shelton has demonstrated impressive form recently, winning four of his last five matches. His journey in Melbourne has been noteworthy:

• Defeated Ugo Humbert in the first round in straight sets.
• Dominated Max Sweeny, again in straight sets, hitting 19 aces without facing breakpoints.
• Conquered Vacherot in the third round, allowing only one breakpoint against himself.

Last year’s Australian Open saw Shelton reach the semifinals, where he was ousted by Jannik Sinner.

In contrast, Casper Ruud has secured victories in three of his last five matches this tournament:

• Defeated Bellucci in the initial round without dropping a set.
• Overcame Munar in the second round, while facing and saving two breakpoints.
• Faced a more substantial challenge in the third round against Marin Cilic, winning in four sets after three hours of play.

Historically, Ruud has struggled to advance past the 1/8-finals at the Australian Open, with last year’s exit occurring in the second round against Mensik.

Betting Insights and Predictions

According to analysts, Shelton is the favorite for this upcoming match, largely due to his solid performances in Melbourne. Here are some betting insights and recommendations:

• Main Bet: Ben Shelton to win at 1.57 odds (@bet365). His consistency this week positions him as the likely victor.
• First Set Bet: Either player to win the opening set 6-3 or 6-4, with odds of -160 (@FanDuel). A break of Ruud’s serve could lead to a quick first set for Shelton.
• Aces Bet: Ben Shelton under 19.5 aces at -110 odds (@FanDuel). Given his previous match performance, this is a reasonable expectation.

As the match approaches, fans are eager to see if Shelton will maintain his momentum against Ruud’s competitive experience.