PREVIEW Munich Open 2025 Semi-Finals: Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton aim to set up final showdown in Bavaria
ATPSaturday, 19 April 2025 at 11:30
The Munich Open 2025 reaches its decisive stage this weekend, kicking off with a high-stakes Saturday packed with semifinal action. Francisco Cerúndolo looks to book his second ATP final of the season as he takes on rising American Ben Shelton, while hometown favorite and World No. 3 Alexander Zverev faces the tournament's surprise package, Hungary’s Fabian Marozsán.
Only four players remain in contention in Munich, and for each, a place in Sunday’s final could be a pivotal moment in their 2025 campaign—both in terms of confidence and valuable ATP points as Roland Garros looms on the horizon. With the exception of Marozsán, each semifinalist is ranked inside the Top 20 and keen to sharpen their form heading into the clay-court major.
The draw opened up early following the shock exit of defending champion Jan-Lennard Struff and with several of the ATP Tour’s top names opting to compete in Barcelona this week. As a result, opportunity knocks in Bavaria.
Cerúndolo Eyes Revenge and Clay-Court Supremacy
The first semifinal will see Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo take on Ben Shelton in what promises to be an intriguing clash of styles. The American lefty is adapting well to the clay this spring despite a first-round exit in Monte Carlo, where he fell to Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
That defeat, however, was not the only headline Shelton made in Monaco. The 21-year-old became embroiled in controversy during the doubles competition, after Italian Andrea Vavassori accused him of deliberately targeting his body with aggressive shots. Vavassori later withdrew from his next event, citing potential injury from the incident.
“For me, it was a normal tennis play. My stroke went in,” Shelton said in response. “Getting hit is part of doubles. A few games later, his partner hit me straight in the chest at 100 miles an hour—I didn’t make a fuss about it.”
While Shelton brings power and shot-making flair, it’s Cerúndolo who has quietly been one of the most consistent South Americans on tour this season. He reached the quarterfinals at both Indian Wells and Miami and finished runner-up at the Argentina Open. In Munich, he’s yet to drop a set and knocked out the reigning champion in his opening match.
The clay favors Cerúndolo’s game, with his smooth movement and heavy forehand proving a potent combination. Their only previous meeting came at Indian Wells last year, where Shelton edged a tight three-set battle on home soil, 7–6, 3–6, 7–6.
On the slower Munich courts, the balance could tip in Cerúndolo’s favor. Expect a close contest, but with the Argentine—currently ranked No. 22—holding a slight edge on his preferred surface.
The stage is set for a fascinating semifinal Saturday in Munich, with both matches promising drama, intensity, and the chance for a breakout moment on the road to Roland Garros.
Match Info:
Francisco Cerundolo - Ben Shelton
Start time (local): Sat, 19 Apr, 1:30 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 19 Apr, 7:30 PM
Court: Center Court
Tournament: BMW Open by Bitpanda
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
| Cerundolo | Shelton | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 1 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 1 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 22 | 15 |
| Race Ranking | 18 | 10 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 21 (+1) | 14 (+1) |
| Live Race Ranking | 12 (+6) | 8 (+2) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 26 (13 Aug 1998) | 22 (9 Oct 2002) |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Atlanta, Georgia, US |
| Residence | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Gainesville, Florida, US |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Nicolas Pastor, Pablo Cuevas | Bryan Shelton, Dean Goldfine (traveling coach) |
| YTD W/L | 19-8 (70%) | 12-7 (63%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 3 | 2 |
| Prize Money | US $6,705,063 | US $6,231,742 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
B Shelton d F Cerundolo ATP Indian Wells - Round of 327-6 | 3-6 | 7-6 11 Mar 2024 |
||
Zverev Eyes Redemption as He Returns to Form in Munich
Alexander Zverev’s 2025 season began with promise but gradually slipped into inconsistency, marked by underwhelming performances and, by his own admission, some questionable scheduling decisions. The German struggled through the Latin American swing without reaching a final and endured further disappointment at Indian Wells.
A quarterfinal appearance in Miami offered some respite, but an early exit in Monte Carlo—combined with Carlos Alcaraz’s title run in the Principality—saw Zverev overtaken in the ATP Rankings, with the Spaniard reclaiming the No. 2 spot.
The Munich Open, however, has come as a much-needed reset for Zverev. Back on home soil, he’s rediscovered some of the intensity and precision that made him a Grand Slam finalist. He opened his campaign with a composed win over France’s Alexandre Muller and followed it with another straight-sets victory against compatriot Daniel Altmaier.
But it was his quarterfinal clash with Tallon Griekspoor that signaled a genuine turning point. The Dutchman had previously bested Zverev in California, and their rematch in Munich turned into an epic. Zverev came through 6–7(6), 7–6(3), 6–3 in a battle lasting over three hours, saving a match point along the way. The win not only avenged an earlier loss but also showcased Zverev’s resilience and growing confidence.
When firing on all cylinders, Zverev is a threat on any surface. While the slower clay courts of Munich may dull some of his serve’s explosiveness, they offer the perfect platform for his punishing baseline game, anchored by one of the tour’s most lethal backhands.
Standing in his way is Hungary’s Fabian Marozsán, who has been quietly building momentum this season after dealing with physical setbacks. The 24-year-old has found some consistency in recent weeks, and his run to the semifinals in Munich marks his best result of the year.
Marozsán and Zverev have only met once before—at the 2024 Miami Open quarterfinals—where Zverev claimed a straight-sets win, 6–3, 7–5. That head-to-head, combined with experience, ranking, and home advantage, firmly establishes Zverev as the favorite heading into Saturday’s semifinal.
A victory would see him return to the Munich Open final for the first time since 2018, when he claimed the second of his two titles at the event. With the treble in sight, and momentum swinging back in his favor, Zverev has every reason to believe this weekend could mark the true turning point of his season.
Match Info:
Alexander Zverev - Fabian Marozsan
Start time (local): Sat, 19 Apr, 3:00 PM
Start time (your time): Sat, 19 Apr, 9:00 PM
Court: Center Court
Tournament: BMW Open by Bitpanda
Round: Semifinal
Head-to-Head
| Zverev | Marozsan | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 1 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 3 | 77 |
| Race Ranking | 3 | 64 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 3 | 58 (+19) |
| Live Race Ranking | 3 | 40 (+24) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 27 (20 Apr 1997) | 25 (8 Oct 1999) |
| Birthplace | Hamburg, Germany | Budapest, Hungary |
| Residence | Hamburg | Érd, Hungary |
| Height | 6'5" (198cm) | - |
| Weight | 198lbs (90kg) | - |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 | - |
| Coach | Alexander Zverev Sr. | György Balázs |
| YTD W/L | 14-7 (67%) | 11-8 (58%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 23 | 0 |
| Prize Money | US $51,885,891 - 5th all-time in earnings | $2,259,273 |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
A Zverev d F Marozsan ATP Miami - Quarterfinal6-3 | 7-5 28 Mar 2024 |
||
Who will be the protagonists of Sunday's grand final, and can Zverev handle the pressure of winning in front of his home crowd in a match in which he is the big favorite?
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