Ben Shelton stages comeback to reach Munich ATP final

American battles past Cerundolo in three sets to book spot in clay-court showdown.

Ben Shelton of the United States smiles after winning his semifinal match against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina on day eight of the BMW Open at MTTC Iphitos on April 19, 2025, in Munich, Germany. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ben Shelton Munich ATP final dreams stayed alive on Saturday after the American tennis star staged a brilliant comeback to defeat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in a hard-fought semi-final match. Shelton overcame a sluggish start to win 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in just over two hours, securing his place in the fourth ATP final of his career and continuing his growth as a formidable contender on clay courts.

The 22-year-old, currently ranked number 15 in the world, will now await the winner of the other semi-final clash between Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the world number three, and Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. Sunday's final could see Shelton take on the local favorite Zverev on the German’s 28th birthday, adding even more excitement to the clay-court showdown.

Tough start for Shelton as Cerundolo dominates opening set

The semi-final began on a difficult note for Shelton, who struggled to find rhythm on the slow surface. Cerundolo, ranked 22nd in the world, quickly asserted dominance by dictating rallies and forcing errors from the American. The Argentine broke Shelton early and cruised through the first set 6-2 with impressive court coverage and consistent depth on both wings.

Cerundolo’s comfort on clay and his natural movement on the surface were evident from the outset. In contrast, Shelton, still refining his game on clay, appeared hesitant and had difficulty defending his service games. The first set lasted just 34 minutes, and at that point, few would have predicted the turnaround that was to come.

Turning point in the second set tiebreak

In the second set, Shelton came out with greater intensity and focus. He broke Cerundolo early, but the Argentine responded with grit, pulling the set back on serve. The two traded powerful baseline rallies, with Shelton trying to disrupt Cerundolo’s rhythm through aggressive shot-making and deep returns.

As the set progressed, it became increasingly clear that the outcome would be decided in a tiebreak. Both players held firm until Shelton edged out a narrow 9-7 victory in the breaker, fending off multiple set points in a gutsy performance that showcased his resilience.

The tiebreak win injected new life into the Ben Shelton Munich ATP final bid and proved a turning point. Suddenly, Shelton’s movement improved, his forehand became more lethal, and his confidence on the red clay surged.

Third set comeback seals Shelton’s fourth career ATP final

Despite Cerundolo breaking in the first game of the third set, Shelton responded immediately. He broke back in the next game, signaling that he had no intention of letting the momentum slip. From there, both players held serve until Shelton upped the pressure in the final game.

With the match on a knife’s edge, Shelton broke Cerundolo one last time to seal the set 6-4 and complete his comeback in two hours and eight minutes. As he raised his arms in celebration, it was clear that the young American had taken another big step forward in mastering the challenges of clay-court tennis.

Shelton: “I’m trying to learn day by day”

After the match, Shelton was reflective about his progress and the nature of competing on clay, a surface not traditionally associated with American players.

“Not everything is straightforward and perfect on the clay. You’re gonna get broken more... but you can also break more,” he said, noting the unpredictable dynamics of clay-court tennis. “I think dealing with adversity and adapting makes a great clay-court player. I’m trying to learn day by day.”

This attitude has been a cornerstone of Shelton’s rapid rise through the ATP ranks over the past two years. Known for his big serve and explosive groundstrokes, he has gradually added more nuance to his game—especially on slower surfaces.

A chance to challenge Zverev on home soil

If Zverev wins his semi-final later in the day, Shelton will face not only a top-three player but also a local hero in front of a passionate German crowd. Zverev, who previously won the Munich title in 2017 and 2018, will be playing on his 28th birthday, adding a festive dimension to what is already shaping up to be a thrilling final.

A showdown between Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev would offer a clash of styles—Shelton’s aggressive and fearless play against Zverev’s experience, tactical prowess, and comfort on clay. For Shelton, such a match would be another opportunity to test himself against the very best, and possibly earn his first ATP title on European soil.

The road to Munich: Shelton’s clay court evolution

Shelton’s journey to the Munich ATP final reflects his broader commitment to adapting his hard-hitting game to clay. Traditionally, American men have found it difficult to excel on clay due to its slower pace and the longer rallies it demands. But Shelton has embraced the learning curve.

Earlier in the week, he registered wins over tough opponents, including fourth-seeded Jan-Lennard Struff, and showed improved court awareness, patience in building points, and better sliding technique. Each match has seen him grow more comfortable, and his semi-final win over Cerundolo—one of the ATP’s more seasoned clay-courters—was further proof of that development.

Eyes on the trophy and the ranking boost

Should Shelton win the Munich title, it would mark his second ATP trophy of the season and give his ranking a considerable boost. More importantly, it would solidify his standing as a genuine all-surface threat—a reputation that’s increasingly rare among players of his age.

With Roland Garros just around the corner, Shelton’s form on clay is encouraging. A strong finish in Munich could give him the confidence and momentum needed to make a deeper run in Paris, where clay mastery is critical.

A new face in the clay conversation

The narrative of American tennis players struggling on clay has long been a familiar one. But in Shelton, there is the promise of a new generation capable of rewriting that script. His ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt to conditions, and learn quickly could make him a real wildcard during the European clay-court swing.

For now, though, all eyes are on Sunday’s final. Whether against Zverev or Marozsan, Shelton has already proven that he belongs in the conversation. His Munich ATP final appearance is not just a personal milestone—it’s a signal to the tennis world that Ben Shelton is ready to compete at the highest level, on any surface.