By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 14, 2025
Ben Shelton did his greatest 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 all the pieces however end off the match earlier than he botched a volley to provide Shelton his first reprieve. Shelton dealt with the subsequent level nicely, closing to 6-all earlier than ending out the set.
Within the last set Gojo had one other alternative with Shelton serving at 5-6, 30-40, however he sailed a backhand lengthy.
“That was ridiculously troublesome,” Shelton stated after his nice escape. “The best way that he served, the best way that he performed, even when he received upset. He simply began slapping winners. That was a tricky ask at this time, to go up in opposition to him. I received fortunate in a few huge moments and held my nerve down a couple of match factors. I’m actually glad 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 instructed Seb Lauzier of ATP Media on courtroom. “Bizarre issues occur on clay. It’s not at all times simple. I’m studying increasingly day-after-day the way to play, the way to transfer. I’m simply pleased with the development. Clearly being down match factors is rarely simple, and to return by means of was somewhat bit fortunate however I’m pleased with 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.
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