By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 14, 2025
Ben Shelton did his best Houdini impression in Munich on Monday.
Borna Gojo was the one who disappeared.
Shelton saved a trio of match points 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 points in the second set tiebreak, with Gojo doing everything but finish off the match before he botched a volley to give Shelton his first reprieve. Shelton handled the next point well, closing to 6-all before finishing out the set.
In the final set Gojo had another opportunity with Shelton serving at 5-6, 30-40, but he sailed a backhand long.
“That was ridiculously difficult,” Shelton said after his great escape. “The way that he served, the way that he played, even when he got upset. He just started slapping winners. That was a tough ask today, to go up against him. I got lucky in a couple of big moments and held my nerve down a few match points. I’m really happy to be in the second round here in Munich.”
Shelton, who saved nine of ten break points in the contest, will face either Botic van de Zandschulp or Roberto Bautista in the second round.
“I think this is the type of tough win that can propel your season, or propel your clay-court swing,” Shelton told Seb Lauzier of ATP Media on court. “Weird things happen on clay. It’s not always straightforward. I’m learning more and more every day how to play, how to move. I’m just happy with the progression. Obviously being down match points is never easy, and to come through was a little bit lucky but I’m happy with the way I closed it out.”
In other action two-time champion Alexander Zverev brushed past France’s Alexandre Muller 6-4, 6-1.
Tallon Griekspoor, Miomir Kecmanovic and David Goffin also advanced.
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