Alexander Zverev remains a short-priced favorite to win his home tournament, while Ben Shelton had to scrap to get past the first round.
Top seeds Zverev, Shelton advance at Munich Open
Top seeds Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton advanced to the second round of the Munich Open in Germany on Monday, albeit in very different fashions.
Zverev was in cruise control, easing past Frenchman Alexandre Muller for the loss of just five games, while Shelton survived by the skin of his teeth, saving three match points against qualifier Borna Gojo.
The German came into his match against Muller as a heavy favorite across tennis betting sites, despite a poor run of form stretching back to late January.
“Especially after the loss in Monte-Carlo and a few losses generally in the past few months, it was important to come out and have a performance like that,” Zverev said.
“I obviously want to get back to my best tennis and do really well in the tournaments coming up.
“I’m happy with my first-round win and hopefully I can play better in my next few matches as well and continue building on this form.”
Shelton, meanwhile, dropped the opening set and had to claw his way back into the match through tiebreakers in the second and third stanzas.
“That was ridiculously difficult,” the American said after the 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3) victory.
“The way that he served, the way that he played, even when he got upset. He just started slapping winners.
“That was a tough ask today, to go up against him.
“I got lucky in a couple of big moments and held my nerve down a few match points.
“I’m really happy to be in the second round here in Munich.”
Shelton is paying +900 with top online bookmakers to win the 2025 Munich Open, and the No.2 seed is drawing confidence from his gritty display on Monday.
“I think this is the type of tough win that can propel your season, or propel your clay-court swing,” he said.
“Weird things happen on clay. It’s not always straightforward.
“I’m learning more and more every day how to play, how to move. I’m just happy with the progression.
“Obviously being down match points is never easy, and to come through was a little bit lucky but I’m happy with the way I closed it out.”
Zverev remains the clear favorite to win the Munich Open, returning +187 at Nags.bet to claim his 24th career title.
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