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Reuters

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Reuters

The show has already begun at the ‘Eternal City’! We’re now heading towards a lip-smacking clash in the third round of the Italian Open. American tennis star, Ben Shelton takes on China’s Zhang Zhizhen at the Grand Stand Arena in Rome in just a few hours from now. Shelton has already won a title this year in Houston and has reached two semifinals and one quarterfinal in the rest of his tournaments. How far can he go this time around? In Rome, Zhizhen has recently tasted his first two consecutive victories in over three months. So, this is going to be an exciting contest to watch.

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But where should the fans tune in to watch this intriguing contest? Well, the match will be held at around 11:30 am ET on Sunday, May 12. For those who didn’t get the chance to travel to the iconic Foro Italico, do not worry we got you covered! American fans can tune in to Tennis Channel to watch their homeboy perform on the red soil of Rome against Zhang Zhizhen. Fans can either opt for a premium service or they can go for another service which carries the channel.

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However, Sling TV will be the lowest alternative for any viewer in the US. For those outside the US, Sky Sports has taken up all the responsibilities to cover the event in the UK. So, English fans must tune in to SkySports to watch the ‘Big Ben’ in action! Canadians can watch this match live on TSN. While those in Australia can tune in to beIN Sports Australia to watch Ben Shelton in action.

Ben Shelton currently leads the H2H by a 1-0 margin against Zhang Zhizhen. The American young gun defeated the Chinese challenger by a five-set thriller in their previous encounter at the 2023 Australian Open. Both of them fired quite a few aces to put their opponent wrong-footed in that intriguing matchup. Will ace be again the deciding factor in this match at the 2024 Italian Open?

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Ben Shelton is on fire in Rome!

From snatching the victory from the jaws of defeat to his fiery celebrations, Rome has seen it all when Ben Shelton stepped onto the court last time. He defeated Russia’s Pavel Kotov by 4-6,6-3,6-4 in his previous match. But irrespective of the outcome of this exciting match. His celebration after his emphatic victory caught all the attention of the Italian crowd on Friday, May 10.

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The fans were delighted to see Shelton imitating Kotov’s celebration after the match. They were thrilled to see Shelton showcasing a similar fist-pump celebration towards his team before shaking hands with his opponent. To do that after a grueling 2  hours and 40 minutes match showcases the bundle of energy within this 21-year-old youngster. Can he showcase a similar energy level and outclass his Chinese opponent in a Super Sunday clash?

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Sayantan Roy

3,225 Articles

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. A former competitive player, he brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his playing experience with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Ananya Giri

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