Tennis: Shelton, Zverev to meet in Munich Open final
American tennis player Ben Shelton came back from the brink to beat Francisco Cerundolo in the semi-finals of the Munich Open on Saturday and will play top seed Alexander Zverev for the title at the ATP 500 event in Germany.
The victory was Shelton’s best-ever on European clay, with the 22-year-old coming back from a break down in the third set to win 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 against the world No.22.
“It’s a big win for me,” said Shelton, who was priced at $3.50 to win by BetOnline pre-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.”
Tennis bookmakers have Shelton as an underdog yet again heading into Sunday’s final, with home hero and world No.3 Zverev waiting in the championship match.
The German had a smoother ride in his semi-final on Saturday, moving past Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-3.
“I thought I played quite a good match today,” Zverev said after his victory.
“I lost focus once in the first set on my serve, but apart from that I thought it was a good match.
“I thought 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.”
Leading bookmakers price Zverev at just $1.20 to claim his third Munich Open title this week, with Shelton at a long $4.50 to win.
