With the Novak Djokovic vs. Jakub Mensik match having been cancelled because of Mensik’s withdrawal, Ben Shelton vs. Casper Ruud has been moved from John Cain Arena to night-session treatment in Rod Laver Arena. Here is my pick for Monday’s fourth-round showdown.
(8) Ben Shelton vs. (12) Casper Ruud
Arguably nobody in the men’s field at Melbourne Park was more impressive during Week 1 against — in some cases — very difficult competition than Shelton. The 23-year-old did not lose a single set while beating Adelaide finalist Ugo Humbert, Aussie crowd favorite Dane Sweeny, and 2025 Shanghai winner Valentin Vacherot. Shelton is now 14-3 all time at this event, which includes a semifinal run (2025) and a quarterfinal showing (2023).
Monday night marks their fourth meeting, with Ruud leading the head-to-head series 2-1. However, they are 1-1 on hard courts — and Shelton’s victory was a beatdown (Cincinnati 2022) whereas Ruud’s success came in a three-set thriller (Acapulco 2024).
Ruud has advanced in Melbourne with defeats of Mattia Bellucci, Jaume Munar, and Marin Cilic, losing just one set to Cilic along the way.
The 13th-ranked Norwegian is playing well, but this is a matchup that sets up well for Shelton. He will target Ruud’s backhand with a lefty serve and a heavy topspin forehand. Whereas the world No. 7 has been an absolute force at Grand Slams on a regular basis, Ruud — aside from one Roland Garros semifinal appearance — has cooled off in a big way at slams since finishing runner-up at the 2023 French Open.
Pick: Shelton in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.