The ATP Dallas Open is the seventh ATP 250 event from the beginning of the year. Some players enter the tournament to gain ranking points, and some enter to gain momentum for the future. Ben Shelton is in the tournament for both reasons. After a lackluster start to the year, Shelton will play Michael Mmoh in the first round, as both require more confidence for future tournaments.
The ATP Dallas Open returned to Dallas, Texas, in 2022 after an absence of 39 years. It has shown great performances from many young stars and will give us another great match-up in Shelton’s and Mmoh’s clash.
Ben Shelton vs Michael Mmoh: Preview
Ben Shelton showed some great performances in 2023. He reached the quarterfinal of the Australian Open last year but would go on to stumble for the following months as exits came early in the slams until the US Open. He would go on to play in the semifinal of the final slam of the year. Shelton’s momentum changed after the championship, and he climbed several ranks quickly.
In October, he won his first tournament on the ATP Tour in Tokyo. Coming into 2024, Shelton has not found his form yet. In the Brisbane International, he lost in round 1, which was followed by him winning two matches in the ASB Classics. His Australian Open stint saw much-needed improvement, but he lost in the third round to Adrian Mannarino after having a lead of two sets.
Michael Mmoh, on the other hand, has been suffering with his form. In 2023, he advanced to the finals of a Challenger tournament in Japan but lost. His best results in 2023 were round 3 in two slams. Coming into 2024, he exited both Challenger tournaments early and failed to win the first qualifying for the Australian Open.
Mmoh lost to Holger Rune in their Montpellier Open clash in straight sets. Mmoh will be looking to win over Shelton by hook or by crook to regain his form
Shelton vs Mmoh: Head-to-Head
Shelton and Mmoh have not faced each other in the main draw of any tournament on the ATP Tour. The two have played each other once. It came during the qualifying round of the 2021 US Open. Shelton, who was 19, fought hard to take Mmoh to the tie-breaker in both sets and emerge victorious. Their current clash will be their first main draw match in the ATP Tour.
Prediction: Shelton to win in three sets
Both players will hope to win their bout, too, but Shelton is the one who has a higher likelihood of winning and moving on to the quarterfinal. Not only will he win, but he is on track to winning dominantly against the elder American star. Mmoh will give it his all in a battle against the youngster, but his current form is not likely to help him defeat Shelton.
