Ben Shelton vs Zhizhen Zhang Preview & Prediction | 2026 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship | Round of 16
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Ben Shelton faces Zhizhen Zhang in the round-of-16 stage of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship.
Ranking points: ATP 250
Start date/time:
Venue: River Oaks Country Club, Houston, USA
Surface: Outdoor clay
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 Zhizhen Zhang ticket information
Ben Shelton vs Zhizhen Zhang prediction
Ben Shelton’s season began strongly, as he made yet another deep run at a Grand Slam, losing in the Australian Open quarter-finals to Jannik Sinner. He then picked up the title in Dallas, as he came from a set down to beat Taylor Fritz in the final, saving three championship points in the process. However, he was affected by illness at Indian Wells, only making the third-round, and he then suffered a surprising defeat to Alexander Shevchenko in his opening round of the Miami Open.
He received a bye in the first-round of this event and now takes on Zhizhen Zhang. The Chinese player ended a run of four straight defeats after easily beating Jack Pinnington Jones in the previous stage of the tournament. He held serve throughout and won 6-1 6-3 after just one hour and three minutes.
The head-to-head is 1-1 between the pair, though Zhang has won their only meeting on clay, beating Shelton in straight sets at the Italian Open in 2024. Shelton has not been in the best of form lately, and he could be vulnerable in the early stages as he prepares to compete in his first match on clay this season.
Ben Shelton vs Zhizhen Zhang tip: Over 18.5 games
