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 every little thing however end off the match earlier than he botched a volley to offer Shelton his first reprieve. Shelton dealt with the subsequent level properly, closing to 6-all earlier than ending out the set.
Within the remaining 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 mentioned after his nice escape. “The best way that he served, the way in which that he performed, even when he obtained upset. He simply began slapping winners. That was a tricky ask in the present day, to go up in opposition to him. I obtained fortunate in a few large moments and held my nerve down a couple of match factors. I’m actually pleased 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 believe 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 all the time easy. I’m studying an increasing number of each day learn how to play, learn how to transfer. I’m simply proud of the development. Clearly being down match factors isn’t straightforward, and to come back via was a bit of bit fortunate however I’m proud of the way in which 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.
