Whilst the best of the rest play in Australian Open qualifying, we have some stacked ATP 250 events to enjoy, in Auckland and Adelaide. Today, we’re making predictions from the event in Auckland where Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Botic van de Zandschulp are all in action. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who will win?
ATP Auckland Day 3 Predictions
Ben Shelton vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-head: First meeting
We believe Ben Shelton will eventually be the real deal but, for now, he doesn’t have the whole package. He’s second-last in the top 50 on return points won and his first couple of matches of the season showed why, failing to break serve against Safiullin in Brisbane.
Though Shelton still comes into this as the slight favourite, one lights out game and a tiebreak from Fabian Marozsan could be all it takes for the Hungarian to win the match. We’re tempted to back Marozsan before Shelton fires up for the big stage in Melbourne.
Prediction: Marozsan in 3
Botic Van De Zandschulp vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: First meeting
This looks like an easy choice on paper but a quick look at the pair’s recent history makes the pick a little harder. Botic Van De Zandschulp had a difficult year after losing four match points in the final of Munich, losing other matches in tight situations, whilst Alejandro Tabilo is currently on a nine-match winning streak on hard courts.
Tabilo is more likely to be confident in his booming lefty service games than Van De Zandschulp. The Dutchman is a higher quality player but, if it gets tight, his serve may let him down.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sebastian Ofner is a player on the rise. He picked up where he left off in 2024 and put together three extremely solid wins in Hong Kong before losing a close battle to Emil Ruusuvuori. Roberto Carballes Baena has made plenty of improvements to his hard court game but Ofner’s confidence to play with aggression has looked unplayable at times. The Austrian should be the more powerful player here.
Prediction: Ofner in 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: First meeting
Hard court wins have been few and far between for Daniel Altmaier. He plays with a lot of shape and topspin so he finds it harder than most to hit through the court. Despite the fact Felix Auger-Aliassime had a rollercoaster 2023, an average serving day should secure the win for the Canadian.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
