Zverev Eyes No. 2 Rank After Munich Title Win

MUNICH, Germany — Alexander Zverev captured his third Munich Open title on April 20, 2025, defeating American Ben Shelton in straight sets to solidify his chances of reclaiming the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings.

Zverev, currently ranked No. 3, entered the tournament facing pressure after an inconsistent start to the season. His recent form suggested a resurgence as he cruised through the tournament, culminating in a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Shelton. With this win, Zverev now stands poised to reclaim the second position if current No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz falters in the ongoing Barcelona Open.

“It feels great to win here in my home country,” Zverev said after the match. “I’m very happy with the performance, especially because it comes after some tough matches earlier this season.”

With Alcaraz competing for the Barcelona title, Zverev remained cautious. If Alcaraz loses to Holger Rune, Zverev would ascend to No. 2, placing him in a favorable position ahead of the French Open. Zverev expressed gratitude for the support from local fans during a week filled with delightful weather and an upgraded tournament atmosphere. “The new center court and the upgrades made this week even more enjoyable for all of us. I hope to continue this momentum,” he added.

Earlier in the tournament, Zverev outplayed Viktor Durasovic and Alexandre Muller, showing a dominant return to form after setbacks this season, including a loss in the Australian Open final to Jannik Sinner earlier in January.

Shelton, who was seeking his first ATP 500 title, acknowledged Zverev’s performance. “He played great. It will be good for me to learn from this experience and keep moving forward,” said Shelton, who reached the semifinals after a three-set battle against experienced players.

As both players prepare for important tournaments ahead, the stakes remain high. The ATP Tour is looking at Zverev’s performance closely, especially as he approaches his first victory of the year and an opportunity to get back into the top tier of rankings.

In related news, Jannik Sinner continues to maintain his lead as World No. 1, but with the ongoing shifts in rankings following tournaments, his position could be tested as more titles up for grabs come with the clay-court season.