Japan Open tips: All-American quarter final set to be a cracker
- Derek Bilton
- 19 October 2023
Planet Sport's tennis tipster Derek Bilton turns his attention to the quarter-finals of the Japan Open on Friday morning.
“We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.”
The late stand-up comedian George Carlin - probably my favourite American – once said that. And in these depressingly troubled times his words are becoming more prophetic with every passing day.
Not sure what another couple of slightly lesser known Americans feel about the fact that the source of our progress has become the source of our downfall, but I do know Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton are facing each other on Friday morning in the quarter-final of the Japan Open.
Leftie Shelton is powerful and consistent on both the forehand and backhand side. His serve is a weapon and it is becoming more nuanced as he gains experience grinding on the ATP Tour.
Paul is another player who has power, but there is more to his game than just a big forehand and big serve. He can slice and volley well, but there is a nagging suspicion he can be too carefree mentally at times.
Shelton has been a breath of fresh air on the Tour this season. He has yet to win a title but has played with a spirit and a brilliance that has been really refreshing.
He has not had it easy in Japan, with both matches so far going to a final set. That indicates he is not in the Land of the Rising Sun to make up the numbers, and privately he will be thinking he can win his first ever ATP title this week.
It is late in the season but there is still plenty at stake here, aside from the $376,620 the eventual champion in Tokyo will receive.
Paul is currently 12th in the race to Turin and will climb to No. 10 if he takes the title down in Tokyo. Then there are bragging rights.
The pair have split two matches in 2023, with both matches coming in Grand Slams. Paul won in four sets at the Australian Open at the start of the year, while Shelton won their most recent encounter 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 in the fourth round of the US Open.
Serve is likely to dominate. On hard courts this year, Shelton has won 83.6 per cent of his service games and 18.9 per cent of his return games. All things considered, the plus money on Shelton (who is 11/10 to win with Planet Sport Bet) looks tempting.
The doyen of sports writing Hugh McIlvanney once lauded the “magnificent triviality” of sport. And old Hugh was dead right.
This clash between two compatriots is unlikely to stop the world on Friday, but it will be definitely worth watching. Turn on, tune in, drop out…. And back Shelton.
