Ben Shelton Faces Learner Tien in Mallorca Championships

SANTA PONSA, Spain (June 24, 2025) — Ben Shelton will take on Learner Tien in the round of 16 at the Mallorca Championships on Wednesday, June 25. The American, ranked No. 10 in the world, is a heavy favorite against the world No. 67 Tien.

Shelton enters the ATP 250 event as the top seed, looking to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit at the Queen's Club Championships. So far this season, Shelton holds a 19-13 win-loss record and seeks his first title of the year, having reached the semifinals in Stuttgart and the quarterfinals at Indian Wells and the Australian Open.

Tien also aims to improve his season performance, currently with an 8-13 win-loss record. Despite early exits in several tournaments, Tien managed to secure a second-round spot in Mallorca after defeating fellow teenager Justin Engel 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round.

The two American players have yet to meet on tour, making this matchup an exciting first encounter. Shelton’s experience on the tour gives him an advantage over Tien, who is still establishing himself in the competitive landscape.

According to betting odds, Shelton is favored at -350, indicating a 77.8% chance of victory, while Tien is positioned as the underdog at +260. This signifies a strong expectation for Shelton to prevail in straight sets.

As the tournament progresses, Shelton aims to surpass his previous quarterfinal finish in Mallorca last year. With both players eager to make a mark, the upcoming match promises to be a compelling matchup in this year’s grass-court season.