Ben Shelton at Indian Wells: Pure power against Opelka and an off-court worry

The California desert is already shaking. And it's not because of an earthquake, but the thunderous shots Ben Shelton and Reilly Opelka are set to unleash this Friday in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open. The young left-hander from Florida, one of the biggest rising stars in world tennis, takes on the American giant in a clash that promises fireworks from the baseline... or rather, from the service line. Because when these two connect, the ball travels at lightning speed and returns become an act of faith.

Shelton arrives at Indian Wells after a solid start to the year, albeit with some ups and downs. We saw him sweat it out at the Australian Open, and just a few weeks ago he clinched a cracking win against Aslan Karatsev in a final that's still ringing in fans' ears. But watch out, because the Russian isn't the only one who's copped Shelton's power lately. There's a name starting to make some serious noise on the circuit: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The Frenchman, another one of the new serve monsters, could cross paths with the American if both get past their first hurdles. It would be a showdown of young guns that would delight fans of high-voltage tennis. But first, he's got to get past Opelka, and that's no walk in the park.

A huge heart off the court

However, it's not all rapid fire and winners for Shelton these days. Hours before hitting the desert court, the world learned a story that shows the more human side of the world No. 14. It turns out a group of the tennis player's mates got trapped by the severe storms lashing the southern United States, and Shelton, far from being solely focused on his match, has been visibly worried about them. "I'm in constant contact with them, it's a tough situation. They're like family to me," he mentioned during practice yesterday. These kinds of details, which don't show up in the stats, are what make you connect with a player beyond his backhand or serve.

And speaking of connecting, there's a side to Shelton that few know about that helps him relax in high-pressure moments: music. I can't hear you, I'm listening to Brett Young could well be the American's motto when he puts his headphones on before matches. The country singer is one of his favourites, and it's not unusual to see him humming one of his tunes in the change rooms. In fact, some say his footwork rhythm on the court has a bit of a southern groove to it. Could it be the key to breaking Opelka's serve? We'll have to wait and see.

Key match-ups: a clash of the titans

Let's break down what's in store for us at Stadium 1. This isn't your typical tennis match; it's a perfect storm of serves and flat balls. Here's what will decide the contest:

• Opelka's serve: Standing at 2.11 metres, his serves are missiles. Shelton will need to guess and hope. If the big man is on song, we could be in for a heap of tie-breaks.
• Shelton's explosiveness: The lefty doesn't just serve hard; he moves like a cat. His open-stance forehand can do serious damage if he can get some deep returns in play.
• The mental factor: Shelton is carrying the worry for his mates, but also the maturity of someone who's played big matches before. Opelka, on the other hand, is coming back from injuries and looking to rediscover his best form.

Those predicting how this one will pan out (and I'm including myself) know that long rallies will be a rarity. It'll be a duel of winners, aces, and the occasional serve topping 230 km/h. If I had to stick my neck out, I'd say Ben Shelton has a slight edge thanks to his greater consistency from the back of the court. But Opelka, if he's firing, can knock over anyone. What's for sure is that at Indian Wells, the entertainment is a given. And all the while, Shelton, with Brett Young's music in his head and his mates in his heart, will try to take another step forward in his career. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride.