Zverev and Shelton Set for BMW Open Final Showdown

MUNICH, Germany (AP) — Alexander Zverev, the top seed, will compete for his third title at the BMW Open after securing a place in the final on Saturday. He will face off against Ben Shelton, the second seed, in a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday.

Zverev advanced to the final by defeating Fabian Marozsan of Hungary with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-3. The semifinal, which took place at the upgraded ATP 500 event, showcased Zverev’s strong serve as he only lost his service once throughout the match.

“It’s awesome, the entire week has been amazing,” Zverev said following his victory. “The spectators have been really enjoying the weather, the new center court, and the new tournament. I’m enjoying it myself and hopefully I can have another great day tomorrow.”

In the other semifinal, Shelton made a remarkable comeback to defeat fifth-seeded Francisco Cerundolo 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4. After dropping the first set and facing a break down in the final set, the 22-year-old rallied back to secure his spot in the final. This victory makes him the first American male to reach a clay-court final above the ATP 250 level since 2002.

“It’s a big win for me,” Shelton commented. “To get a win on clay against a guy like that gives me a lot of confidence, and to be in an ATP 500 final over here in Europe, I’m really happy.”

Shelton’s performance in the semifinals demonstrates his resilience, particularly after saving three match points earlier in the tournament. With this victory, he now boasts a 14-12 record on clay.

The match lasted two hours and seven minutes, a testament to both players’ determination. Shelton expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming final, stating, “I love the energy here in Munich, and I’m going to go for that title tomorrow.”

Zverev, who is aiming to equal the record for the most Munich titles, showcased his consistent play and ability to perform under pressure. His victory over Marozsan was notable not only for the score but also for the way he commanded the match despite a shaky moment.

<p“I thought I played quite a good match today,” Zverev added. “I lost focus once in the first set on my serve, but apart from that, I thought it was a good match.”

The final match between Zverev and Shelton is set to take place on Sunday, promising an exhilarating clash as both players vie for victory.