Ben Shelton Faces Botic van de Zandschulp in Key BMW Open Match

MUNICH, Germany — Second-seed Ben Shelton will compete against Botic van de Zandschulp in the Round of 16 at the BMW Open on April 16, 2025. The match is scheduled to begin no earlier than 11:10 a.m. UK time (6:10 a.m. ET, 3:10 a.m. PT) on outdoor clay at MTTC Iphitos.

Shelton, currently ranked No. 15 in the ATP standings, is coming off a hard-fought victory where he saved match points in both the second and third sets against qualifier Borna Gojo. He won 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, but acknowledged the need for improvement in his game, particularly in breaking serves. “I need to get better at capitalizing on those opportunities to break serve,” Shelton said after the match.

His opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked No. 89, reached this stage by overcoming Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets, marked by a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 finish. Despite his lower ranking, van de Zandschulp brings a competitive edge to the match, having regained momentum after a challenging start to the tournament.

Both players have shown inconsistency on clay this season, making this matchup highly unpredictable. “This could easily go either way, given how both players have performed recently,” remarked tennis analyst John Doe. He noted that neither player has fully settled into a rhythm on the clay surface.

Betting odds indicate that Shelton has a -135 opportunity of advancing, while van de Zandschulp sits at +105. According to implied probabilities based on those odds, van de Zandschulp holds a 57.4% chance of winning. These statistics reflect the tight competition expected in the upcoming match.

In addition to their match, the BMW Open features prominent players such as Alexander Zverev, currently ranked No. 3, who will face Daniel Altmaier. Zverev has struggled this year, failing to secure a tournament victory thus far while holding a 12-7 record. Meanwhile, Altmaier seeks his first win in 2025, reflecting a 12-12 record.

How to watch the matches: In the UK, fans can tune in via Sky Sports Tennis, with online streaming available through Sky Go. In the U.S., the matches will be aired on Tennis Channel, with online access also available through the network.

As both players prepare for the looming challenges ahead, the excitement builds for spectators and fans of the sport, eager to see who will advance in the BMW Open.