Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego Preview & Prediction | 2026 Halle Open (Terra Wortmann Open) | First Round

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Lorenzo Sonego takes on Ben Shelton in the first-round of the Halle Open.

Ranking points: ATP 500

Start date/time: 17 June 2026 at 11:40 am

Venue: OWL Arena, Halle, Germany

Surface: Outdoor grass

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego ticket information

Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego prediction

Ben Shelton picked up his third title of the season at the Stuttgart Open last week, as he beat Taylor Fritz in the final. This was the second time that Shelton had beaten Fritz in a final in 2026, having also defeated his compatriot at the Dallas Open. The American needed to save match points against Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals, but he now has a title on each surface this year.

Shelton will face Lorenzo Sonego in the first-round. Sonego enters the main draw as a lucky loser, following the withdrawal of Nick Kyrgios. He failed to qualify outright for the event after a defeat in the second stage to Nikoloz Basilashvili. The Italian missed a period of the season due to injury, and his ranking has now dropped to outside the top 60 in the world.

Shelton leads the head-to-head 4-1 and 1-0 on grass. They faced each other at Wimbledon in the round-of-16 last year, with the world number five coming from a set down to win in four. He will be viewed as a clear favourite to win this one. 

Ben Shelton vs Lorenzo Sonego tip: Ben Shelton to win 2-0