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Predictor Picks: Why Shelton, Bublik & Humbert can make quick starts on grass
After a thrilling clay-court season, the stars of the ATP Tour move on to grass, beginning this week at the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart and the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Before each tournament week, ATPTour.com looks at three players who might be good selections for fans in the PIF ATP Rankings Predictor.
Ben Shelton — defending 0 points
The American is one of the biggest servers on the ATP Tour — his game is made to wreak havoc on returners, especially on grass.
Shelton has only played five tour-level matches on grass in his young career (2-3). But like he showed this clay-court season, the lefty is a quick learner and will have an opportunity to make his mark on the surface in Stuttgart, where he is the second seed.
The 21-year-old will play a qualifier in the second round (he has a first-round bye) and will pursue his second title of the season after triumphing on clay in Houston.
Alexander Bublik — defending 20 points
One year ago, Bublik won the biggest title of his career on grass at the ATP 500 event in Halle. Will he claim another trophy on the surface this week in Stuttgart?
Bublik has one of the most unpredictable games on the circuit. On grass, his serve always gives him a chance. The Kazakhstani is fourth on the ATP Tour this year in aces according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Bublik is the third seed in Germany and will begin his tournament against Fabian Maroszan or Hamad Medjedovic. With only 20 points to defend this week, the 26-year-old has plenty of room to add net points to his PIF ATP Rankings breakdown.
[ATP APP]Ugo Humbert — dropping 50 points
Like Shelton, Humbert owns a devastating lefty serve. However, the Frenchman has even more of a pedigree on grass.
Humbert claimed his first ATP 500 title on the surface in 2021 at Halle and owns a 20-15 tour-level grass-court record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. That is his best winning percentage of any surface.
The 25-year-old is the third seed in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and will open against a countryman: Arthur Fils or Arthur Cazaux.
Bonus Ball — Ben Shelton
With no points dropping this week, why not give Shelton a shot? He proved his ability to transition from surface to surface well when he began the clay-court season by lifting the trophy in Houston.
Shelton has won multiple matches at seven tournaments this year, and he will try to make it eight in Stuttgart. If you place your Bonus Ball on Shelton to double your points and he wins the title, it would net your team 500 points.
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