On his 28th birthday, Alexander Zverev triumphed at the BMW Open in Munich, defeating American Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. This victory not only marked Zverev's first title of the year but also his 24th career title, solidifying his status as a dominant force in tennis.
Zverev, the top seed, showcased remarkable form throughout the match, winning 33 of his 37 first serve points and not facing a single break point. The match, which lasted just 1 hour and 12 minutes, saw Zverev break Shelton in the opening game of both sets, establishing an early lead that he maintained until the final point.
This victory is particularly significant for Zverev as it marks his third title at the BMW Open, having previously won in 2017 and 2018. With this win, he joins the ranks of only a few players in the Open Era to claim three titles at this event, following in the footsteps of Philipp Kohlschreiber, who won in 2007, 2012, and 2016.
After a challenging few months on the ATP Tour, where Zverev struggled to find his rhythm following his runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January, this win is a much-needed boost. He had not advanced beyond the quarter-finals in six tournaments since that Grand Slam, which saw him lose to world number one Jannik Sinner.
Conversely, Shelton, the second seed, entered the final after a grueling three-set semi-final against Francisco Cerundolo, where he had to save three match points. Despite his efforts, Shelton’s performance in the final was marred by inconsistency, as he committed 21 unforced errors compared to Zverev's seven.
Reflecting on his performance, Zverev expressed his joy, stating, "It’s extremely special. I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”
He acknowledged the challenge posed by Shelton, who has shown significant improvement on clay over the past few years. “I definitely knew I had to play my best tennis today,” Zverev remarked. “Ben has been playing extremely well this week. The conditions suit him extremely well; it’s very hot and very fast. They suit me as well, to be fair.”
In a light-hearted moment during the post-match interview, Shelton admitted he was unaware it was Zverev's birthday, saying, “It’s your birthday too. I didn’t know that. Happy Birthday. I would’ve said like, this is a birthday gift, but I had no clue (laughs).”
As Zverev celebrated his victory, he was also rewarded with a BMW, a fitting prize for a champion on his special day. The win is expected to boost his ranking, potentially returning him to world number two if Carlos Alcaraz loses in the Barcelona Open final later today.
Looking ahead, Zverev is set to compete next at the Masters 1000 event in Madrid, where he has previously claimed titles in 2018 and 2021. With the clay court season gaining momentum, Zverev's recent form suggests he could be a strong contender for further success.
As the ATP Tour moves forward, fans will be eager to see if Zverev can maintain this level of performance and challenge for more titles as he aims for a successful season.
