Lorenzo Sonego Surges to Spotlight: 5 Must-Know Updates Driving Today’s Buzz

Italian crowd-pleaser Lorenzo Sonego is bracing for a prime-time showdown under the Court Philippe-Chatrier lights as the 29-year-old opens his Roland Garros 2025 campaign against rising American Ben Shelton on Sunday, 25 May. Shelton owns a narrow 2-1 edge in their ATP head-to-head, yet it was Sonego who stunned the left-handed slugger in the first round here two seasons ago, using his trademark heavy topspin and net-charging flair to silence Chatrier at midnight. The Italian, currently world No. 44, believes those memories can spark another upset. “Night sessions in Paris give me energy,” Sonego told Italian media after practice. “I love the atmosphere, the music, the late-night noise. If I serve well and mix in the drop shot, I can make life difficult for Ben again.” Form guide and clay credentials • Sonego arrives with a 9-5 record on clay this spring, highlighted by a gritty quarter-final run in Rome where he toppled top-20 seed Alexander Bublik. • The Turin native owns four ATP singles crowns, three of them on red dirt, and peaked at No. 21 in the rankings. • Shelton, seeded 13 in Paris, has posted fewer clay wins in 2025 but blasted 53 aces en route to the Geneva semis last week, underscoring the serving firepower that has taken him from college star to Grand Slam contender in two seasons. Key tactical battles 1. First-serve percentage Sonego averaged 67 % first serves in during his Madrid and Rome runs; he must stay above 65 % to prevent Shelton from attacking second-serve kickers. 2. Net approaches The Italian’s instinct to finish points at the net paid off in their 2023 Paris clash, where he won 71 % of net points. Expect frequent serve-and-volley plays to disrupt Shelton’s rhythm. 3. Forehand exchange to the ad court Both men prefer forehand dominance. Sonego’s high-kicking topspin can drag Shelton off the court; conversely, the American’s flatter forehand can penetrate through chilly Parisian evenings. Match schedule and broadcast The blockbuster is slated as the lone night session, not before 8:45 p.m. local time (2:45 p.m. ET), with coverage on TBS/truTV in the United States and Eurosport across Europe. What a win would mean • For Sonego, victory propels him into a likely second-round clash with No. 20 seed Francisco Cerúndolo and could restore his top-30 ranking credentials. • For Italy, it would bolster a strong opening day featuring wins by Jannik Sinner and Matteo Arnaldi, keeping Azzurri hopes alive for a deep clay-court run. • For Shelton, revenge would eliminate a dangerous floater, validate his seed, and move him a step closer to a projected quarter-final with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Expert predictions LastWordOnSports tennis analysts split 3-2 in favor of Shelton but cautioned that Sonego’s shot-making “thrives in best-of-five on clay” and that the Italian’s crowd engagement could tilt momentum late. Odds opened with Shelton a –220 favorite, yet live markets have tightened to –175 as money filters toward the Italian underdog. Bottom line Lorenzo Sonego has made a career out of producing theatre on tennis’ biggest stages. Against a booming-serve prodigy under the Parisian lights, he has another chance to deliver late-night magic, ignite Italian fans worldwide, and remind the field that clay remains his domain. If his forehand fires and the crowd sings “O Sonego,” Sunday could mark the first major shock of Roland Garros 2025.