MUNICH, April 19, 2025
The sun returned to Munich and provided excellent conditions for Saturday’s semi-finals of the BMW Open by bitpanda when Ben Shelton advanced to his fourth ATP Tour final – and third at ATP 500 level – following a 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 victory over fifth favourite Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.
In front of more than 6,000 spectators on Center Court at the MTTC Iphitos, Shelton shook off a sluggish start and found his rhythm in the second set. The No. 2 seed from the United States struck six aces and won 68 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and seven minutes.
Fourth ATP Tour final ✅@BenShelton claims another great clay court win as he defeats Francisco Cerundolo 2-6 7-6 6-4 in Munich #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/JuTQEVAWsc
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2025
“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton said afterwards. “I am really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season. I have been playing well this week. I am enjoying myself and I love the energy here in Munich. I am not too stressed right now. That was one thing which was lacking last week in Monte Carlo.”
Shelton has become the first US-American man to reach a clay-court final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi lifted the trophy of the 2002 ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. The 22-year-old Atlanta native also has the chance to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bryan, who claimed a Challenger title in Munich back in 1989.
Zverev fires past Marozsan
It won’t be an easy task, though, as Shelton will take on home favourite and top seed Alexander Zverev. The 27-year-old edged past Fabian Marozsan of Hungary, 7-6(3), 6-3.
Zverev dominated with his serve, firing nine aces. The World No. 3 converted two of his three break-point opportunities and secured victory in one hour and 31 minutes.
One win from the three-peat! @AlexZverev is back into the Munich final, taking out Marozsan 7-6(3) 6-3!@BMWOpen500 | #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/PZiv4ATJsF
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 19, 2025
“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court. I am enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow,” said Zverev, who won the only previous meeting with Shelton in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 on hard court in Cincinnati last year. It will be the first time they’ve met on clay.
Shelton is bidding to become the fourth US-American in the Open Era to clinch the title at the BMW Open after Sandy Mayer (1973), Gene Mayer (1982, 1984) and Ivan Lendl (1993). Zverev is vying for his third Munich crown following his triumphs at the MTTC Iphitos in 2017 and 2018.
In Sunday’s doubles final top-seeded Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz will take on Andre Goransson of Sweden and Dutchman Sem Verbeek. Center Court action starts at 11 a.m. local time.
Hewitt earns Allianz Para Trophy Title
The Allianz Para Trophy ended with Alfie Hewitt from Great Britain taking the title. The top seed of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour event defeated second-seeded Argentine Gustavo Fernandez 7-6(3),6-2.
“I missed last year’s edition due to injury. I have always enjoyed being in Munich. It’s a great place to play tennis and my first time on clay this year. I can take a lot of confidence into the upcoming weeks,” Hewitt said.
“It was a tough final against Gustavo, who is one of the strongest players on this surface. To get a straight sets win is a good feeling.”
