Ben Shelton vs Zhizhen Zhang Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 10/05/2024, 18:00  by Steve Ashfield in ATP Italian Open Predictions

Both of these players are in the third round of the Italian Open for the first time. 12th seed Ben Shelton faces unseeded Zhizhen Zhang in this outdoor clay court tournament. This is the last 32 and the winner will face either undseeded Miomir Kecmanovic or qualifier Thiago Monteiro. Shelton is 14th in the latest rankings and up to 22nd in the ATP Live Race. The American made his name with deep runs in the hard court Australian and US Opens. This year has seen him start to show improved form on clay courts. He's already won the US clay court championship and got to the last 32 in Madrid. This is only his second appearance in the Italian Open and last year he was beaten in round two. He's beaten that this year but he had to come from behind to beat Pavel Kotov to reach round three.

Zhihzen Zhang had never won a match in the Italian Open before this week. His only other appearance was last year when being beaten in the first qualifying round. He's gone much better this year with wins over Daniel Elahi Galan and then the out-of-form 19th seed Adrian Mannarino, both wins coming in straight sets. His wins have taken the Chinese player up to 54th in the live rankings. It's a welcome return to form and this is his first time past the second round on this year's European clay court swing. He's had one previous meeting with Shelton and lost that in the Australian Open last year in a five-setter. We tip Shelton to get the win in this match.