By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 14, 2025
Ben Shelton did his finest Houdini impression in Munich on Monday.
Borna Gojo was the one who disappeared.
Shelton saved a trio of match factors to defeat the Croatian qualifier 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3) in two hours and 23 minutes. There was a pair of match factors within the second set tiebreak, with Gojo doing every thing however end off the match earlier than he botched a volley to present Shelton his first reprieve. Shelton dealt with the subsequent level nicely, closing to 6-all earlier than ending out the set.
Within the closing set Gojo had one other alternative with Shelton serving at 5-6, 30-40, however he sailed a backhand lengthy.
“That was ridiculously tough,” Shelton stated after his nice escape. “The way in which that he served, the best way that he performed, even when he acquired upset. He simply began slapping winners. That was a tricky ask right now, to go up in opposition to him. I acquired fortunate in a few huge moments and held my nerve down a couple of match factors. I’m actually blissful to be within the second spherical right here in Munich.”
Shelton, who saved 9 of ten break factors within the contest, will face both Botic van de Zandschulp or Roberto Bautista within the second spherical.
“I feel that is the kind of powerful win that may propel your season, or propel your clay-court swing,” Shelton informed Seb Lauzier of ATP Media on courtroom. “Bizarre issues occur on clay. It’s not at all times easy. I’m studying increasingly each day easy methods to play, easy methods to transfer. I’m simply proud of the development. Clearly being down match factors isn’t simple, and to come back by means of was a little bit bit fortunate however I’m proud of the best way I closed it out.”
In different motion two-time champion Alexander Zverev brushed previous France’s Alexandre Muller 6-4, 6-1.
Tallon Griekspoor, Miomir Kecmanovic and David Goffin additionally superior.
