Ben Shelton saved three match points in his 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-3) win over Borna Gojo in their first head-to-head match at the BMW Open in Munich, a newly upgraded ATP 500 tournament.
Gojo saved two break points in the second game of the first set before breaking serve in the third game to open up a 3-1 lead. Shelton saved three break points to hold at deuce for 4-5 as he was serving to stay in the set in the ninth game. Gojo served out the opening set 6-4 on his fourth set point in the 10th game.
Shelton saved four break points in the third game of the second set. Gojo fended off one break point in the fourth game to hold serve for 2-2.
Shelton saved the first two match points at 4-6 before winning four consecutive points the tie-break of the second set. The US player then fended off the third match point at 5-6 30-40 in the third set before earning three mini-breaks to win the tie-break of the third set 7-3.
Shelton set up a second round match against either Botic Van de Zandschulp or Roberto Bautista Agut.
Ben Shelton: “That was ridiculously difficult. The way that he served, the way that he played, even when he got upset. He just started slapping winners. That was a tough ask today, to go up against him. I got lucky in a couple of big moments and held my nerve down a few match points. I’m really happy to be in the second round here in Munich. I think this is the type of tough win that can propel your season, or propel your clay-court swing. Weird things happen on clay. It’s not always straightforward. I’m learning more and more every day how to play, how to move. I’m just happy with the progression. Obviously being down match points is never easy, and to come through was a little bit lucky but I’m happy with the way I closed it out.”
Two-time Munich champion Alexander Zverev eased past Alexandre Muller 6-4 6-1 to bounce back from his first round defeat against Matteo Berrettini in Monte-Carlo.
Zverev earned his first break at 15 in the opening game. Muller saved two break points to hold after six deuces in the third game before breaking back in the sixth game at love to draw level to 3-3. Zverev converted his second break point to take a 5-4 lead and served out the first set with a hold at 30.
Zverev converted his third break point in the third game and held at 30 in the next game to open up a 3-1 lead. The German player earned two more break points to win the second set 6-1.
Zverev is aiming to equal his compatriot Phillip Kohlschreiber as a record three-time Munich champion.
Zverev will face either Daniel Altmeier or qualifier Tseng Chun-Hsin.
“Especially after the loss in Monte-Carlo and a few losses generally in the past few months, it was important to come out and have a performance like that. I obviously want to get back to my best tennis and do really well in the tournaments coming up. I’m happy with my first-round win and hopefully I can play better in my next few matches as well and continue building on this form”, said Zverev.
