2025 Wimbledon

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Wednesday 27
Thursday 28
Friday 29
Saturday 30
Sunday 31
Monday 1
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
Friday 5
Saturday 6

Ben Shelton vs Alex Bolt Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Big-serving lefties collide in Wimbledon first round

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Tue 01 Jul 2025 02:51

Andrew Hendrie 01 Jul 2025

Share this article

Ben Shelton vs Alex Bolt predictions for Tuesday's Wimbledon R1
Bolt has won 31 of his last 38 matches on grass at all levels
Shelton is on a four-match losing streak, failing to win a set in all of those defeats
The match is scheduled to start around 2.30am AEST on Wednesday July 2

Expired

Ben Shelton (Photo by Getty Images)

Ben Shelton vs Alex Bolt Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

An intriguing clash awaits in the opening round of Wimbledon as 10th seed Ben Shelton faces Aussie grass court specialist Alex Bolt on Tuesday.

Ben Shelton vs Alex Bolt Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Ben Shelton Form
Alex Bolt Form
Live Stream

Shelton has recently cracked the top 10 for the first time, but it's not been a great last month or so - he's currently on a four-match losing streak (if you also include an exhibition loss to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Hurlingham just before Wimbledon), failing to win a single set in those four defeats. Now, Shelton has been tasked with a potentially tricky opening round test at Wimbledon against a genuine grass courter.

Only a handful of players on tour have played as many grass court matches in their entire careers than Bolt (134), with the Aussie qualifying for his fourth Wimbledon main draw last week. Bolt has won 31 of his last 38 matches at all levels on the surface and the battle of swinging lefty serves here will be fascinating. On current form, there's no reason why Bolt can't win a set, but Shelton usually lifts for the slams and should be able to find a way to dig this one out.

Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Ben Shelton Form

It's been a wildly inconsistent season for Shelton with many highs and lows - he comes into this clash with a relatively modest 19-14 record, struggling on a four-match losing streak, but also operating at a career-high ranking of No. 10.

Shelton launched the season by reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, while he's also made the final of the ATP 500 event in Munich and the fourth round of Roland Garros.

However, apart from that, Shelton hasn't really made an impact and it will be interesting to see how he performs at Wimbledon, where he made the fourth round last year before going down to Jannik Sinner.

The American hasn't had an ideal preparation on grass, losing in the quarter-finals of Stuttgart before opening round exits at Queen's and Mallorca to Arthur Rinderknech and Learner Tien.

Alex Bolt Form

Bolt hasn't won a tour-level match in 2025, playing mostly on the Challenger Tour as he attempts to rise closer to his career-high ranking of No. 125 (currently 179).

If the entire season was played on grass, Bolt would probably be ranked inside the top 50, so he has to make the most of these parts of the year.

The Aussie did just that by qualifying for Wimbledon once again last week, only dropping one set in victories over Harold Mayot, Eliott Spizziri and Martin Landaluce.

Bolt also qualified for Wimbledon last year and drew a top 10 seed in the opening round, going down to Casper Ruud in straights.

Live Stream

Watch and bet on Ben Shelton vs Alex Bolt live tennis from The Championships.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > Wimbledon 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 Alex Bolt

Shelton is out of form heading into Wimbledon, while Bolt is one of the most dangerous qualifiers to make the main draw.

Given Shelton has a tendency to find himself in long slam battles, I think Bolt can snatch a set here, but the American should ultimately prevail.

Bolt Over 17.5

Player Total Games

$1.61 - 2 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Shelton & Yes

H2H/Both Players To Win A Set

$2.20 - 1 Unit

Use Easyform

The Ultimate Form Guide

18+ only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs apply

Bet at Playup