Zverev begins firmly and goes for tricampeonato in Munich | ATP Tour

Munich

Zverev begins firm and goes for tricampeonato in Munich

The German beat Muller in R1

April 14, 2025

Alexander Zverev started his way at the BMW Open By Bitpanda at a firm pace. The German, first sown, welcomed the new ATP 500 event of the Tour with a 6-4 victory, 6-1 against Alexandre Muller.

Under the spring sun of Bavaria, the German seeks to recover his best form after falling into his first game in Montecarlo last week against the Italian Matteo Berrettini, and sealed his pass to the second round after an hour and 20 minutes.

Zverev has played six tournaments since he lost the Australian Open final in three sets against Sinner in January, but has not exceeded the quarterfinals in any. “I am very happy with the game,” said Zverev. “I want to play my best tennis again, and this has been a very good step in the right direction.”

Since he won consecutive titles in Munich in 2017 and 2018, Zverev has not gone from the quarterfinals and will now face his compatriot Daniel Altmaier, who passed to Taiwanés Tseng Chun-Hsin by 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).

Meanwhile, Ben Shelton survived in his debut in Munich. The American, second manager, saved three party points to overcome the classified Borna Gojo 4-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) after two hours and 25 minutes.

“It was ridiculously difficult,” Shelton reflected. “I am very happy to be in the second round here in Munich,” defined the No. 15 of the PIF ATP Ranking, which saved two game points after being 4-6 in the Tie-Break of the second set, before saving another in 5-6, 30/40 in the third set.

According to Infosys ATP Stats, Shelton saved nine of the 10 break points he faced in his victory and will face Roberto Bautista Aguet or Botic Van de Zandschulp.

Also, Tallon Griekspoor, Miomir Kecmanovic and David Goffin were other winners on Monday in Munich. Griekspoor easily exceeded #nextGenatp Learner Tien 6-4 and 6-2 to face in the second round the Miami Jakub Messik champion or the local Wild Card Yannick Hanfmann, while Kecmanovic saved two game points in the decisive set of the set before defeating Marcos Girón 6-2, 6-7 (2) and 7-6 (9). The ex No. 7 of the Goffin world, which defeated Carlos Alcaraz in Miami last month, won Billy Harris 6-2, 6-7 (2) and 6-4.

Did you know what …?
Zverev aspires to be the second tricampeón in the history of the tournament after Philipp Kohlschreiber (2 – Davydenko, Orantes, Pérez Roldán, Runa, Squillari, Vilas, Zverev). Munich is one of the five ATP Tour events that Zverev has won at least twice.