Lorenzo Musetti and Ben Shelton are on a collision course for the Australian Open third spherical, however they may very well be examined on Thursday. Musetti goes up in opposition to Denis Shapovalov, whereas Shelton faces Pablo Carreno Busta.Denis Shapovalov vs. (16) Lorenzo MusettiMusetti and Shapovalov will likely be going head-to-head for the second time of their careers after they conflict in spherical two of the Australian Open on Thursday. Their solely earlier encounter got here final spring on the Indian Wells Masters, the place Musetti prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 7-5. The Fifteenth-ranked Italian went on to have a stellar yr, making a run to the Wimbledon semis, capturing the bronze medal on the Paris Olympics, and ending runner-up at three ATP tournaments. Musetti superior on Tuesday by scraping previous compatriot Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in 4 hours and 6 minutes.
(21) Ben Shelton vs. Pablo Carreno BustaShelton has already loved success at Melbourne Park within the early phases of his profession. The 22-year-old American reached the quarterfinals in 2023 and the third spherical final January. He was dealt a tough first-round draw this fortnight however battled previous countryman Brandon Nakashima 7-6(3), 7-5, 7-5 on Tuesday night.
Up subsequent for the world No. 20 is a first-ever encounter with Carreno Busta. The 33-year-old Spaniard missed mainly all of 2023 and the primary half of 2024, so he seems to be removed from his greatest as of late although good well being has mercifully returned. Carreno Busta crushed qualifier Kamil Majchrzak 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 within the opening spherical, however he’s simply 2-3 this season and has not defeated anybody ranked higher than 78th within the rankings since early September. Until Shelton serves poorly and lets his opponent get into baseline exchanges, this ought to be principally one-way site visitors.
Choose: Shelton in 4
