Munich
alexander Zverev Dominates Ben Shelton to Secure Third Munich Title
German star claims his first title of 2025, equalling a tournament record.
April 20, 2025
BMW Open by Bitpanda
Alexander Zverev claims his third title at the BMW Open by Bitpanda.
By Jerome Coombe
Munich – alexander Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday by capturing his third BMW Open by Bitpanda title on Sunday, equalling the tournament record. The hometown favorite delivered a stellar performance to defeat American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4, securing his 24th tour-level trophy.
Zverev’s serve proved impenetrable throughout the match, as he did not face a single break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats. This victory marks Zverev’s first title of the season and his sixth on home soil.
“It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” zverev said. “it’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”
Zverev, who previously won consecutive titles in Munich in 2017 and 2018, matched fellow German Philipp kohlschreiber’s record of three titles in the tournament. This year marked the first edition of the tournament as an ATP 500 event, ensuring a German champion for the historic occasion.
following a strong start to the year with a third major final appearance at the Australian Open in january, Zverev experienced a mixed run of form, going 6-6 on the ATP Tour leading up to Munich. However, he rediscovered his confidence on the clay courts of Munich.
Shelton struggled with his serve in the opening set, committing two crucial double faults on break points. Zverev, in contrast, dominated behind his first serve, winning 16 of 19 points.
Fueled by a supportive crowd in Munich that included Bayern Munich football star Thomas Muller, Zverev maintained control from the baseline in the second set. He secured an early break and maintained his lead, ultimately winning his ninth ATP Tour title on clay.
Zverev Dominates Shelton to Clinch Munich Title, reclaims No.2 Ranking
MUNICH, Germany – Alexander Zverev powered past Ben Shelton to secure the Munich title, marking his sixth ATP 500 victory and propelling him back to the No.2 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. Zverev’s relentless performance throughout the 71-minute match on Sunday sealed the win, adding another accolade to his extraordinary career.
Zverev’s Commanding Performance in Munich
The German star showcased exceptional form, capitalizing on the fast, hot conditions that favored his game.”Ben has been playing extremely well this week,” Zverev noted. “The conditions suit him extremely well, it’s very hot and very fast. They suit me as well, to be fair.” His victory extended his Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead over Shelton to 2-0.
Key Stats and Milestones
- ATP 500 Titles: Zverev now holds six ATP 500 titles.
- Ranking boost: He reclaims the No. 2 world ranking after Carlos Alcaraz’s defeat.
- Shelton’s Rise: Despite the loss, Shelton is projected to rise to No. 13 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, nearing his career high.
Zverev’s ATP 500 Titles
| Tournament | Years |
|---|---|
| Washington | 2017, 2018 |
| Acapulco | 2021 |
| Vienna | 2021 |
| Hamburg | 2023 |
| Munich | 2025 |
Shelton’s Historic Run
Shelton’s journey to the final was noteworthy as he became the first American to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level as Andre Agassi’s victory at the 2002 Masters 1000 in Rome. The 22-year-old acknowledged Zverev’s dominance during the trophy presentation, humorously stating he woudl have called the match a “birthday gift” had he known it was Zverev’s birthday.
“I feel really blessed to play in front of you all on Easter Sunday,it’s really special for me,” Shelton said.“Happy Birthday Sascha… I was trying as hard as I could to return your serves today, but I couldn’t make it work.”
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Munich: Alexander Zverev Dominates Ben Shelton to Secure Third Title
German star claims his first title of 2025, equalling a tournament record.
april 20, 2025
BMW Open by Bitpanda
Alexander Zverev claims his third title at the BMW Open by Bitpanda.
by Jerome Coombe
Munich – alexander Zverev celebrated his 28th birthday by capturing his third BMW Open by Bitpanda title on Sunday, equalling the tournament record. The hometown favorite delivered a stellar performance to defeat American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4, securing his 24th tour-level trophy.
Zverev’s serve proved impenetrable throughout the match, as he did not face a single break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats. This victory marks Zverev’s first title of the season and his sixth on home soil.
“It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” zverev said. “it’s problably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”
Zverev, who previously won consecutive titles in Munich in 2017 and 2018, matched fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record of three titles in the tournament. This year marked the first edition of the tournament as an ATP 500 event, ensuring a German champion for the historic occasion.
following a strong start to the year with a third major final appearance at the Australian Open in January, Zverev experienced a mixed run of form, going 6-6 on the ATP Tour leading up to Munich. However, he rediscovered his confidence on the clay courts of Munich.
Shelton struggled with his serve in the opening set, committing two crucial double faults on break points. Zverev, in contrast, dominated behind his first serve, winning 16 of 19 points.
Fueled by a supportive crowd in Munich that included Bayern Munich football star Thomas Muller, Zverev maintained control from the baseline in the second set. He secured an early break and maintained his lead, ultimately winning his ninth ATP Tour title on clay.
Zverev Dominates Shelton to Clinch Munich Title, reclaims No.2 Ranking
MUNICH,Germany – Alexander Zverev powered past Ben Shelton to secure the Munich title,marking his sixth ATP 500 victory and propelling him back to the No.2 spot in the PIF ATP Rankings. Zverev’s relentless performance throughout the 71-minute match on sunday sealed the win, adding another accolade to his unusual career.
Zverev’s Commanding Performance in Munich
The German star showcased remarkable form, capitalizing on the fast, hot conditions that favored his game.”Ben has been playing extremely well this week,” Zverev noted.”The conditions suit him extremely well, it’s very hot and very fast. They suit me as well, to be fair.” His victory extended his Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead over Shelton to 2-0.
Key Stats and milestones
- ATP 500 Titles: Zverev now holds six ATP 500 titles.
- Ranking boost: He reclaims the No. 2 world ranking after Carlos Alcaraz’s defeat.
- Shelton’s Rise: Despite the loss, Shelton is projected to rise to No. 13 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings,nearing his career high.
Zverev’s ATP 500 Titles
| Tournament | Years |
|---|---|
| Washington | 2017,2018 |
| Acapulco | 2021 |
| vienna | 2021 |
| Hamburg | 2023 |
| Munich | 2025 |
Shelton’s Historic Run
Shelton’s journey to the final was noteworthy as he became the first American to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level as Andre Agassi’s victory at the 2002 Masters 1000 in Rome. The 22-year-old acknowledged Zverev’s dominance during the trophy presentation, humorously stating he would have called the match a “birthday gift” had he known it was Zverev’s birthday.
“I feel really blessed to play in front of you all on Easter Sunday, it’s really special for me,” Shelton said.“Happy Birthday Sascha… I was trying as hard as I could to return your serves today,but I couldn’t make it work.”
Q&A: Decoding Zverev’s Munich Triumph
Q: How did Zverev’s serve contribute to his victory?
A: Zverev’s serve was nearly unplayable. He didn’t face a single break point, a testament to his dominance on serve throughout the match.
Q: What record did Zverev equal with this win?
A: He matched Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record of three titles at the BMW Open by Bitpanda.
Q: What was notable about Ben Shelton’s performance?
A: Shelton’s run to the final was historic; he became the first American to reach a clay final above the ATP 250 level as Andre Agassi in 2002.
Q: What impact did the win have on zverev’s ranking?
A: Zverev regained the No. 2 spot in the world rankings.
Q: Why was this tournament special for Zverev?
A: It was Zverev’s first tournament win of 2025,his sixth title on home soil,and it occurred on his birthday.
Q: what were the conditions like in Munich?
A: The conditions were fast and hot,which favored Zverev’s game.
Did you know? Zverev’s win on clay showcased his ability to adapt and excel on different surfaces.
Zverev’s commanding performance in Munich underscores his continued dominance and solidifies his status as a tennis powerhouse. Keep an eye on Zverev as he continues his season!
