Shelton against Mensik, Rublev against the Budik

Action of the third round at Madrid Masters begins on Sunday and the order of the game is led by a showdown between Ben Shelton and Jakub Mensik. The defending champion Andrey Rublev stands opposite Alexander Bucks.

(12) Ben Shelton against (22) Jakub mensik

Shelton was under and off in his opening game at the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday. After the 13th American hadn’t broken all afternoon, he finally broke the Navy when the Argentine served 5: 4 for the game in the second set. Shelton finally prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 and continued his solid campaign in 2025, which contains a particularly impressive effort on sound. The 22-year-old comes from a second place at the ATP 500 in Munich, where he defeated Francisco Cerundolo in Semis before fell in the final Alexander Zverev.

Next for Shelton on Sunday there is a meeting with Mensik in the third round. The two ascending stars have divided their two previous competitions, with Shelton received 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4 in the 2024 Indian Wells Masters before Mensik received the task 7-6 (2), 4-6, 7: 5 in Auckland. At the age of only 19, the Czech rose to number 23 in the world, especially thanks to a master 1000 title in Miami – where he annoyed Novak Djokovic in the championship game. Mensik is now 15-7 on the main tour this season after a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory against Ethan Quinn on Friday. Clay does not offer an advantage, and at the moment it is the polished player from the back of the square and also one of the few boys on tour that can serve as big as Shelton.

Selection: Mensik in 3

Alexander Brewsklich against (7) Andrey Rublev

Rublev and Budik will squad on their career for the ninth time on Sunday. The head-to-head series is 5-3 in favor of Rublev, including 5: 2 at ATP level. Your games did not contain a lack of drama; In 2023, the Russian survived a thriller of five sets in Wimbledon, Bukik won a three-satter in the summer in the summer, Rublev was in third place in 2024 from her Dubai semi-final and her Viennese showdown from 2019.

In this case, almost everything could happen because it is difficult to know what you can expect from both players. Budik was terrible in 2025 (5-10 game record), but he has advanced these fortnights with straightforward defeats by Alex Michelsen and Alexei Popyrin so far. Rublev has to struggle again this year (11-9 match record), but it is known that he suddenly gets hot at Masters 1000 events when he conquered this Madrid title 12 months ago from nothing. World No. 8 should take the defending champion’s trust and it will probably be able to use a vulnerable opponent.

Pick: Rublev in 2