Shelton stuns Cerundolo to reach the Munich Open final, where he meets world No.3 and home favorite Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s title match.
Shelton sets up showdown with Zverev after epic comeback in Munich
American rising star Ben Shelton pulled off the biggest clay-court win of his young career on Saturday, defeating Francisco Cerundolo in three sets to reach the Munich Open final, where he will face home favorite Alexander Zverev.
Shelton, who entered the match as a +250 outsider at rm_geo_top_casino rank=1][/rm_geo_top_casino], came from a set and a break down to beat the Argentine 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, saving a match point in a tense second-set tiebreak before storming home in the third.
“It’s a big win for me,” said Shelton post-match.
“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.
I’m just competing and enjoying myself, that’s one thing that was lacking in Monte-Carlo last week.
Not everything is straightforward and perfect on the clay.
You’re going to get broken more, but you can also break more.
Dealing with adversity and adapting makes a great clay-court player and I’m trying to learn day by day.
I’ve been playing well here, I love the energy here in Munich and I’m going to go for that title tomorrow.”
It will be a tough ask for the 22-year-old American, however, with top seed Alexander Zverev waiting in Sunday’s final.
The world No.3 and -500 favorite at Neds breezed past Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-3, to book his place in the championship match.
“I thought I played quite a good match today,” said Zverev.
“I lost focus once in the first set on my serve, but apart from that I thought it was a good match.
Fabian played extremely well and I’m just happy to be in the final.
It’s awesome, the entire week has been amazing.
The spectators have been really enjoying the weather, the new centre court and the new tournament.
I’m enjoying it myself and hopefully I can have another great day tomorrow.”
Zverev is chasing his third Munich Open title, and tennis betting sites are backing the German to lift the trophy again on home soil.
Shelton, meanwhile, will look to ride his momentum and energy into an upset win, currently priced at +350 with most top betting sportsbooks.
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