Ben Shelton is preparing to take on Czech rising star Jiří Lehečka in the Round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open on August 14, 2025. Coming off his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto after defeating Karen Khachanov, Shelton arrives at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, looking to extend his impressive run, while Lehečka enters the match in strong form following a title in Brisbane and deeper runs in Queen’s Club and Toronto.
Details of the Upcoming Cincinnati Open Match
The match will take place on the outdoor hard courts at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, part of the Masters 1000 series. The contest is scheduled for August 14, 2025, and will be broadcast live on Tennis Channel, Fubo, ESPN+, and Sky Sports. Both Shelton and Lehečka have demonstrated significant skill on hard courts this season, setting up an exciting encounter at this prestigious tournament in Ohio.
Historic Head-to-Head Between Shelton and Lehečka
Ben Shelton and Jiří Lehečka have previously met only once at the professional level. Their initial encounter took place on grass during the Stuttgart Open quarterfinals on June 13, 2025, where Shelton won comfortably in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. This victory gives Shelton a psychological edge heading into their Cincinnati clash, as he holds the 1–0 lead in their head-to-head record.
Comparing Performance and Playing Styles on Hard Courts
Shelton has enjoyed a remarkable 2025, highlighted by a breakthrough clay-court title and a surge into the ATP Top 10, now ranked as high as No. 7. His hard-court record this season stands out, with a 20–6 match tally translating to a nearly 77% win rate. His aggressive baseline play, combined with a powerful left-handed serve, has made him formidable on this surface.
Lehečka, while strong, holds a slightly lower hard-court winning percentage at 69% with a 16–7 record in 2025. His strengths lie in consistent ball striking and defensive retrieval, but he lacks Shelby’s serving impact, which is a key factor on fast hard courts.
During his recent Cincinnati third-round match, Shelton served 17 aces and won 77% of his service points. In contrast, although Lehečka’s serving numbers are less impressive, his overall consistency keeps matches competitive. Shelton’s ability to generate pressure with serves and convert key points provides him with a significant advantage heading into this match.
Why Shelton Is Favored to Win in Straight Sets
Ben Shelton’s recent string of form, which includes eight consecutive wins and a Masters 1000 title in Toronto, underscores his mental toughness and readiness for high-stakes matches. His effective serving—averaging over 10 aces per match with a solid first-serve percentage—and his low rate of unforced errors were instrumental in his win over Roberto Bautista Agut in Cincinnati.
Lehečka’s skill set, while impressive, cannot match Shelton’s raw power and aggressive tactics on hard courts. Shelton’s command over key service points and his ability to minimize mistakes give him a clear edge in this encounter. As the match progresses, these qualities are expected to translate into a straight-set victory for Shelton.
Prediction: Ben Shelton to secure a straight-set win over Jiří Lehečka, continuing his rise in the Cincinnati Open and reinforcing his status as a leading American male player on tour.