Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Shelton plays first match of 2025 in Auckland

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Tue 07 Jan 2025 22:36

Andrew Hendrie 07 Jan 2025

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Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik predictions for Wednesday's ATP Auckland R2 match
Shelton won their only previous encounter in three sets at Indian Wells last season
The match is scheduled to start around 4.30pm AEDT on Wednesday January 8

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Ben Shelton (Photo by Getty Images)

Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

One of the more eye-catching matches of the day takes place in Auckland as Ben Shelton launches his 2025 season against rising teenage star Jakub Mensik.

Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Ben Shelton Form
Jakub Mensik Form
Live Stream

Shelton will be hoping to take his career to the next level in 2025 after establishing himself as a top 20 player, while Mensik is amongst the brightest young prospects in tennis and is targeting a big breakthrough towards the top of the game this year.

Head To Head

These two have played once before, with Shelton emerging a 4-6 6-3 6-4 winner in the second round of Indian Wells in 2024.

Ben Shelton Form

Shelton registered a 42-26 record for the 2024 season, peaking at a career-high ranking of No. 13 and coming into this tournament at No. 21.

Overall, Shelton did a good job of backing up his stellar breakout season in 2023, when he made the semi-finals of the US Open and quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The American failed to go beyond the fourth round of any major last year, but he did pick up his second ATP title on the clay of Houston, along with finishing runner-up at the 500-level event in Basel.

Shelton also launched his 2024 campaign in Auckland, where he reached the semi-finals before going down to Taro Daniel.

Jakub Mensik Form

Unlike Shelton, Mensik has played a lot of tennis over the last few weeks.

The 19-year-old competed in the Next Gen ATP Finals just before Christmas, but he was clearly fatigued and lost all three matches against Joao Fonseca, Arthur Fils and Learner Tien.

Mensik didn't have much of a break before flying down to start his 2025 season in Brisbane last week, but he had a solid tournament nonetheless, reaching the quarter-finals before falling to the giant-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

The Czech continues to rack up the frequent flyer miles, jetting across the ditch to Auckland where he was able to edge out an opening round win over Pablo Carreno Busta, prevailing 6-2 4-6 7-5.

Live Stream

Watch and bet on Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik live tennis from Auckland.

You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Tennis > ATP Auckland with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Ben Shelton v Jakub Mensik

First matches of the season involving any player are always tough to call, but I'm going to back Shelton to edge this one.

Mensik hasn't totally convinced to start the season and he needed 7-5 in the decider to topple lucky loser Carreno Busta in his opening match. Shelton is fresh and his huge serve should help him ease into the match - backing the American in a three-setter like his Indian Wells triumph over Mensik last year.