Ben Shelton’s last two events on the ATP Tour didn’t turn out as expected. But after failing to impress at the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters, the World No.15 seems to have returned to form. As the clay season expands, Shelton has arrived in Munich and has already made it to the last eight of the BMW Open. On Friday, he will try to inch another step closer to the title when he faces the Italian opponent Luciano Darderi in R8. The latter is coming off a title win at the Grand Prix Hassan II and is high on confidence. So, who out of the two is likely to emerge victorious in the upcoming battle? Let’s try and find out.

Ben Shelton v Lucian Darderi: Preview

Ben Shelton made an impressive start to the 2025 season by reaching the semis at the Australian Open back in January. He also made it to the last eight of the Indian Wells as well. But his big loss against 173-ranked Coleman Wong in the opening match of the Miami Open was quite a big setback. And it had its effect in the next event too. At the Monte Carlo Masters, Shelton failed to go past R64. Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ousted him with a score line of 6-7, 6-2, 6-1.

However, the heavy-hitting lefty didn’t take long to get back to winning ways. At the BMW Open this week, he began his campaign with a victory over Croatia’s Borna Gojo. But it was anything but easy, as Shelton had to bounce back after losing the first set. In the next two sets, he bested Gojo i successive tie breaks to advance with a score line of 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3). In R16 thereafter, Shelton eased past Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp in straight sets to secure a QF spot.

Speaking of his opponent, Luciano Darderi, well, his 2025 season didn’t start on a great note. Back in January, he was ousted in R32 of the ASB Classic before he crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round as well. In subsequent events, too, he couldn’t impress much. At the Rio Open, Chile Open, Indian Wells, and Miami Open, Draderi lost in R16, R32, R128, and R64, respectively.

Next up was a Challenger tournament in Naples, Italy, where he reached the final. But, he couldn’t lift the trophy there either, as Croatia’s Vit Kopriva beat him with a score line of 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). However, Darderi eventually won his maiden ATP title of the season at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakesh, where he beat Tallon Griekspoor in the final with a score line of 7-6(3), 7-6(4).

In the BMW Open, Darderi started his journey with a straight-set win over Australian Christopher O’Connell. Then in R16, he beat Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović with a score line of 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 to make it to the quarterfinal.

Shelton vs Darderi: Head-to-Head

Ben Shelton and Luciano Draderi have never met each other in a professional ATP match. Friday’s QF face-off will mark their first encounter.

Prediction: Ben Shelton to win in straight sets

Ben Shelton has a slight edge over Luciano Darderi in terms of their win-loss record this season. The American ATP pro has won 12 of his 19 matches compared to the Italian (9-8). But what about their history in Munich? Well, both these players are playing in the BMW Open for the first time in their careers. And reaching the R8, they have already registered an impressive run.

Talking about their playing styles, Shelton is well-known for his powerful serves. He’s hit 146 aces in the 2025 season alone! Combine that with his solid groundstrokes and eagerness to approach the net to build pressure on his opponents. He’s also stable on both backhands and forehands. Darderi, on the other hand, likes to play baseline rallies at a high speed. He’s also got a strong forehand in his arsenal with the ability to move swiftly between the baseline and the net.

Taking the current form into consideration, Shelton goes into this match as the favorite. The prediction is for the American lefty to win this match in straight sets and advance to the semifinals.