Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Roland Garros match.
This third-round clash at Roland Garros marks new territory for both players — Ben Shelton is navigating the early stages of his clay-court development, while Matteo Gigante is riding a wave of momentum after pulling off one of the shocks of the tournament. With both eyeing a career milestone, expect a fiercely contested matchup.
Ben Shelton
The explosive American has struggled to find his footing on clay, with 4 losses in 10 matches on the surface this season. He’s dropped at least a set in 8 of those 10 outings — even against lower-ranked players like Mariano Navone (No. 97) and Borna Gojo (No. 224). In Paris, his track record is equally patchy: 3 of his 5 career matches here have gone four sets or longer. After scraping through a five-setter against Lorenzo Sonego in round one, Shelton advanced past the second round without playing — Hugo Gaston withdrew before their match.
Matteo Gigante
The Italian is enjoying a breakout tournament. Including qualifying, Gigante has won five matches already — none bigger than his stunning second-round upset of Stefanos Tsitsipas (6:4, 5:7, 6:2, 6:4). A lefty with smart tactical awareness, Gigante expertly exploited Tsitsipas’s backhand and served with precision, winning 79% of points on his first serve and firing 9 aces. Most impressively, he saved 11 of 13 break points, showing remarkable composure under pressure.
Ben Shelton vs Matteo Gigante Prediction
Shelton’s raw power may keep him in the mix, but Gigante’s form, surface advantage, and mental fortitude make this a very even contest. The American has struggled to dominate even lesser-known names on clay, and the in-form Italian looks well-positioned to push him deep — or even pull off another upset.
