“I’ve been playing well here, I love the energy here in Munich, and I’m going to go for that title tomorrow,” said Ben Shelton after making it to the summit clash of the 2025 BMW Open in Munich. The World No. 15 beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo to become the first American ATP player to reach a clay final above the 250 level since Andre Agassi in 2002, when he won the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. However, the new champion of Munich is yet to be decided. If Shelton has to lift the trophy on Sunday, he will have to go through the two-time former champion of this event, Alexander Zverev.

Ben Shelton v Alexander Zverev: Preview

Ben Shelton kicked off his 2025 season on a high in Melbourne back in January. After defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the R8, he became the youngest American in 22 years to reach the semifinal of the Australian Open, since Andy Roddick in 2003. Continuing his stable form, he then made it to the QF round of the Indian Wells as well last month. But the American suffered a major setback in Miami. He failed to move past the opening stage, losing to the 173-ranked Coleman Wong.

In the Monte Carlo Masters, too, Shelton couldn’t impress after crashing out in R64. Spanish pro Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ousted him with a score line of 6-7, 6-2, 6-1. However, the youngster didn’t take long to bounce back and make a deep run at the BMW Open. He has been in sublime form in Munich.

Shelton began his campaign with a straight-set win over Croatia’s Borna Gojo. But it was a tough match, given the fact that Shelton had to earn the victory. After losing the first set, he made a strong comeback and clinched the next two sets to advance to R16 with a final score line of 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3). The American then easily went past Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp to seal a spot in the QF round, where he took down Italy’s Luciano Darderi. In the semifinal, the 22-year-old had to put in extra efforts again, against Cerundolo. However, from one set down, he managed to fight back and made it to the summit clash, winning 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-4.

Speaking of his German opponent, Alexander Zverev, well, his season also began on a great note. Back in January, he made it to the final of the Australian Open. However, he couldn’t clinch his first-ever slam as the World No.1 Jannik Sinner shattered his dreams, beating him in straight sets there. Zverev’s form spiraled downward after that defeat at the Rod Laver Arena.

In Argentina, he did reach the QF but crashed out after losing to the local star Francisco Cerundolo. Then at the Rio Open, too, Sascha’s fate was pretty much similar. Argentina’s Francisco Comesana ousted him with a score line of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. And then came a forgettable phase. At the Mexican Open, Indian Wells, Miami Open, and the Monte Carlo Masters, Sascha was eliminated in R16, R64, R16, and R32, respectively, failing to impress in any of those tournaments.

But Munich seems to have turned the tide for him lately. At the BMW Open, Zverev began his run with a straight-set win over Alexandre Müller. Then in R16, he defeated compatriot Daniel Altmaier (6-3, 6-2) to make it to the last eight. Zverev then ousted Tallon Griekspoor in an intense battle on Thursday. After losing the first set, he made a phenomenal comeback and entered the SF with a score line of 6-7, 7-6(3), 6-4. On Friday, the World No. 3 went past Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in straight sets to enter a third final in Munich.

Shelton v Zverev: Head-to-Head

Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev have met each other only once on the ATP Tour. Currently, Zverev leads the h2h tally 1-0 against the American ATP pro.

• 2024 Cincinnati Masters QF: Zverev 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5

Prediction: Alexander Zverev to win in a decider

Ben Shelton’s win-loss record is decent this season, as he has won 14 of his 21 matches so far. But Alexander Zverev‘s win percentage is slightly better (69.56 percent) after winning 16 of his 23 encounters. Speaking of the history of these two players in Munich, Zverev has dominated in this tournament in the past. In 2017 and 2018, he won back-to-back titles at the BMW Open. In his first final, he beat Argentina’s Guido Pella (6-4, 6-3). Then a year later, he defended his crown with a straight-set final victory (6-3, 6-3) against compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber.

In his last three appearances (2022, 2023, and 2024) in Munich, Zverev crashed out in the R16 successively before making it to the QF last season. Shelton, on the other hand, is playing in the BMW Open for the first time ever and has made it to the final in his first attempt itself.

But what about the playing styles of these two? Well, Zverev is known for his solid baseline game. Combine that with his powerful groundstrokes and an effective serve. With a counter-punching approach, he waits for the opponents to make mistakes and capitalizes on them to earn points.

As far as Shelton is concerned, his lethal serves can dismantle anyone’s focus. In this season alone, he’s hit over 140 aces. Add to that his powerful groundstrokes. He also tends to approach the net frequently in order to build pressure on his rivals. Similar to Zverev, his forehands and backhands are both pretty effective.

Considering the experience, Zverev’s got an edge over Shelton. Apart from leading the H2H tally, he’s been a former champion in Munich on two occasions in the past. While the American may pose a threat, Alexander Zverev is expected to win this final in three sets and lift the BMW Open title for the third time on Sunday.