Ben Shelton vs Mariano Navone: Rising American star Ben Shelton takes on Argentina’s clay-court grinder Mariano Navone in a fascinating second-round clash at Stadium 3 in the Madrid Open. Shelton leads their head-to-head 2–0 and will look to extend his dominance on a slower surface that could test his explosive game.
Ben Shelton vs Mariano Navone Head-to-Head
Shelton leads 2–0
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2025 Indian Wells (R64): Shelton won 6–3, 6–2 (Hard)
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2024 Tokyo (R16): Shelton won 6–4, 6–3 (Hard)
Player Comparison
| Category | Ben Shelton | Mariano Navone |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | Argentina |
| Age | 22 | 24 |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lbs (88 kg) | 160 lbs (73 kg) |
| Plays | Left-Handed | Right-Handed |
| Backhand | Two-Handed | Two-Handed |
| Career High Rank | 12 | 29 |
| Current Rank | 13 | 85 |
| Career Titles | 2 (Main Tour) | 0 (Challenger-level only) |
| 2025 W/L Record | 14–8 | 9–12 |
| Career W/L Record | 85–61 | 27–36 |
| Career Prize Money | $6.87M | $1.62M |
Madrid’s altitude favors Shelton’s explosive serve and forehand, making his aggressive, quick-strike style even more dangerous—even on clay. Navone, meanwhile, thrives on longer exchanges and consistency, but he’s unproven at the Masters level, with most of his success coming in the Challenger circuit.
Form Watch
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Shelton: Coming in at 14–8 in 2025, he’s shown flashes of top-10 level tennis but is still adjusting to clay.
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Navone: Mixed form at 9–12 this year, but he’s been a solid presence in lower-tier clay events.
What to Expect
Shelton has beaten Navone comfortably twice, but this is their first meeting on clay. Navone will look to slow the pace, extend rallies, and exploit any lack of patience in Shelton’s baseline play.
Still, Shelton’s power, movement, and growing confidence suggest he’s likely to prevail—though it may not be as routine as their hard-court encounters.
Ben Shelton vs Mariano Navone Prediction:
Ben Shelton in 3 sets – Expect a fight from Navone, but Shelton’s firepower should be enough to secure a third-round spot.
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