Ben Shelton faces Alexander Zverev tonight in what promises to be a high-octane quarterfinal showdown at the Cincinnati Open — a rematch of their 2.5-hour, three-set battle in last year’s quarterfinal.
Any time Shelton takes the court, it’s must-see tennis — but the combined firepower on display tonight makes this matchup something special. He’s coming off his first ATP 1000 title in Toronto, where he elevated his level match by match, expanding his arsenal. Shelton is no longer just a 22-year-old with a booming serve and a swagger to match.
The next step for Shelton, of course, is a Grand Slam title. And tonight we’ll get a sense of just how good Ben Shelton is — and what his ceiling might be. If he can rise to the moment against Zverev — the current world No. 3 — Shelton could emerge as a legitimate U.S. Open contender, regardless of how Cincinnati ends.
Beating Zverev, however, is no small task. He not only leads their head-to-head but also brings one of the most complete baseline games in tennis, pairing a heavy first serve with penetrating groundstrokes, exceptional court coverage, and the ability to shift from defense to offense in a heartbeat.
Still, this is a high-pressure stage, and Zverev has been open about the mental battles he’s faced. Shelton’s loose, fearless energy could give him an edge — but he’ll need every weapon firing to topple the German tonight.
Shelton–Zverev Head-to-Head
Zverev leads the head-to-head 3–0, including a win in last year’s Cincinnati Open quarterfinal, where Shelton struck first, taking the opening set 6–3. But Zverev steadied, edging out a second-set tiebreak before sealing the match 3–6, 7–6(3), 7–5.
Two of their three meetings have featured multiple tiebreaks, and their encounters have come on all three surfaces — hard, clay, and grass — reflecting Zverev’s ability to adapt to Shelton’s explosive serve and aggressive style.
Prediction
Zverev in 3 tight sets. Shelton’s momentum and power make him a formidable opponent, but Zverev’s head-to-head advantage, championship experience, and composed play in pressure moments give him a narrow edge in what could be a classic.
How to Watch Ben Shelton vs. Alexander Zverev
The Ben Shelton–Alexander Zverev match is expected to start at around 7:00 PM Eastern on Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
The match will air live on the Tennis Channel.
The Tennis Channel has a live stream simulcast of its TV coverage here, along with a dedicated stream for the Shelton–Zverev match here.
A standalone Tennis Channel streaming subscription is available for $9.99/month or $109.99/year.
Shelton vs. Zverev
Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Expected Start Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Court: Center Court
TV: Tennis Channel
Streaming: Tennis Channel app and website
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