Ben Shelton is set to face Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round of the Boss Open 2025 on June 11 at the Tennis Club Weissenhof in Stuttgart, Germany. This ATP 250 event on grass courts is a crucial opportunity for Shelton to build momentum during the grass season, with a prize pool totaling €751,630. The match gains added significance as Shelton aims to continue his strong run in the grass court segment of the tour.
Player Performances and Recent Form
Third seed Shelton earned a first-round bye and now challenges qualifier Herbert. Shelton has already demonstrated impressive form this year, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, his second career Major semifinal, where he was eventually defeated by Jannik Sinner. Along the way, he recorded victories against Gael Monfils and Lorenzo Musetti. His performance at the BNP Paribas Open was notable too, making it to the quarterfinals before a loss to Jack Draper.
Shelton also reached the final at the ATP 500 BMW Open in Munich, where Alexander Zverev proved too strong. On clay at the French Open, Shelton showcased his potential with a fourth-round appearance but ultimately fell to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. This diverse track record reflects his adaptability and growth across different surfaces.
Pierre-Hugues Herbert earned his place in the second round by advancing through the qualifying stages, recording wins over Maximilian Marterer and Li Tu. In the first round, he faced Damir Dzumhur. Herbert dropped the first set but advanced after Dzumhur retired while trailing 3-0 in the second set, due to injury.
First-Time Head-to-Head Between Shelton and Herbert
This match marks the inaugural encounter between Shelton and Herbert, with no prior meetings recorded between the two players. This element adds unpredictability to the fixture, though Shelton’s current form and ranking advantage position him as the favorite.
Examining the Betting Odds
According to BetMGM, Ben Shelton holds the upper hand entering this match, a reflection of his consistent season and recent progress. The odds favor Shelton, who has demonstrated strong competence on grass courts, whereas Herbert, despite his experience, enters this contest after a less dominant year.
Match Prediction and Grass Court Prospects
Ben Shelton’s current season stands at 17 wins and 11 losses, showcasing steady progress. His previous grass court performances include a fourth-round run at Wimbledon 2024 and a quarterfinal appearance at the Mallorca Championships, indicating his comfort on this surface. A strong result here could help him break into the ATP top 10 for the first time, contingent on the results of Daniil Medvedev in a concurrent tournament.
Herbert, whose 2025 record is slightly positive at 4-3, is known for sporadic success against top 20 players, holding a 3-2 record against such opponents on grass. However, his last victory over a top 20 player came in 2021, and his most recent grass court win against a top-tier opponent dates to 2019. Herbert’s recent struggles against highly ranked players suggest this encounter will be challenging.
Given these factors and Shelton’s upward trajectory, the prediction favors Shelton to win confidently in straight sets, continuing his strong form as the grass court season progresses.