Ben Shelton stuns Cerundolo to reach first ATP 500 final in Munich with epic 2h07 comeback

On Saturday, April 19, 22-year-old American tennis star Ben Shelton delivered one of the most electrifying matches of the 2025 Munich ATP 500, defeating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in a grueling 2-hour-and-7-minute battle. With a scoreline of 2-6, 7-6(7), and 6-4, Shelton staged a remarkable comeback, securing his first-ever final at an ATP 500 event. The match, played at the MTTC Iphitos in Bavaria’s capital, showcased Shelton’s resilience and raw talent as he overcame a shaky start and a seasoned clay-court opponent to reach the championship match. This victory underscores Shelton’s strong 2025 season and cements his rapid rise in professional tennis, particularly on a surface where he is still finding his footing.

Shelton’s journey in Munich was fraught with challenges from the outset. In his opening match, he faced Croatia’s Borna Gojo and narrowly escaped defeat, saving three match points in a third-set tiebreak to advance. He carried that momentum into subsequent rounds, dispatching Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp and Italy’s Luciano Darderi in straight sets. Against Cerundolo, ranked world No. 22, Shelton faced a formidable foe who arrived in Munich fresh off dominant performances and boasting a strong clay-court pedigree. The American’s mental fortitude, combined with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, proved decisive in turning the match around and earning a spot in the final.

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The clash with Cerundolo began with the Argentine asserting early dominance, claiming the first set 6-2 in just 29 minutes. Shelton, known for his explosive style but still adapting to clay, struggled with unforced errors and failed to find rhythm. The second set saw a revitalized Shelton, who raised his level, fended off critical break points, and pushed the set to a tiebreak. The tiebreak was a heart-pounding affair, with Shelton staying composed to clinch it 7-6(7) after saving a set point. In the decisive third set, despite an early break against him, Shelton regained control, broke Cerundolo’s serve, and sealed the victory with a 6-4 score, much to the delight of the Munich crowd.

Who said Ben Shelton can’t play on clay?!

pic.twitter.com/pOF1uZ4KJu

— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) April 19, 2025

A historic milestone on clay

Ben Shelton’s run to the Munich ATP 500 final marks a significant milestone in his career. He became the first American to reach the semifinals of an ATP 500 event on clay since the series was established in 2009. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that clay is not Shelton’s preferred surface, with his best results typically coming on hard courts. His performance in Munich, defeating clay-savvy opponents, signals a notable evolution in his game and growing comfort on the red dirt.

Beyond its historical significance, Shelton’s Munich campaign solidifies his status as one of tennis’s brightest young talents. Currently ranked No. 15 in the ATP standings, the American has already notched impressive results in 2025, including a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, where he fell to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. His victory over Cerundolo, a player with a 70% win rate on clay throughout his career, underscores Shelton’s ability to compete at the highest level against surface specialists.

• Cerundolo’s first-set dominance: The Argentine won 6-2, converting 100% of first-serve points.
• Electrifying tiebreak: Shelton took the second set 7-6(7), saving a set point with clutch play.
• Third-set turnaround: After conceding an early break, Shelton rallied to close 6-4.
• Serving prowess: Shelton finished with 56% first-serve accuracy and 29 winners.

Cerundolo’s challenge and clay-court prowess

Francisco Cerundolo entered Munich as a strong contender for the title, buoyed by his clay-court expertise. The 26-year-old Argentine reached the semifinals without dropping a set, defeating players like Jan-Lennard Struff, Alexander Shevchenko, and David Goffin. His Munich campaign was defined by solid baseline play, with 15 service breaks across three matches and 50% of return points won. Against Shelton, Cerundolo showcased his clay-court skills but faltered in key moments, particularly in the second-set tiebreak and the third set, where he lost an early lead.

The 2025 season has been one of steady progress for Cerundolo, who reached the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000 events and made the final of the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires, where he lost to Brazil’s João Fonseca. On clay, his strongest surface, Cerundolo has secured 12 wins in 2025, maintaining a career 70% win rate on the surface. Though his Munich run ended in defeat, Cerundolo remains Argentina’s leading tennis star and a player to watch during the European clay swing, particularly at Roland Garros, where he reached the round of 16 in 2023.

The Munich semifinal marked the second meeting between Shelton and Cerundolo. Their first encounter, at Indian Wells in 2024, also went to Shelton in a third-set tiebreak. The Munich match was their first on clay, and the result extended Shelton’s head-to-head lead to 2-0. For Cerundolo, the loss capped a strong tournament but highlighted areas for improvement as he prepares for upcoming clay-court events.

Shelton’s meteoric rise

Ben Shelton has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in men’s tennis. The son of former professional player and coach Bryan Shelton, the young American blends physical power with an aggressive playing style, characterized by booming serves and crushing forehands. His breakthrough came in 2023, when he won the ATP 250 title in Houston—also on clay—and reached the US Open quarterfinals. In 2025, Shelton has already notched 20 wins, with standout performances in Munich and the Australian Open.

Adapting to clay has been a key challenge for Shelton, who honed his game on American hard courts. His decision to compete in European clay events, such as Monte Carlo and Munich, reflects a deliberate effort to broaden his skill set. In Monte Carlo, he fell in the first round to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, but his Munich run shows he’s starting to crack the clay-court code. Beating Cerundolo, a clay specialist, is a clear sign of his progress.

Shelton’s game, built on short rallies and quick points, contrasts with the patient, spin-heavy approach of players like Cerundolo. In Munich, Shelton leaned into his aggressive style, particularly in the second and third sets, where he hit 29 winners and kept Cerundolo under pressure. His ability to stay composed in high-stakes moments, like the second-set tiebreak, was a testament to his growing maturity on the court.

What to expect in the Munich final

The Munich ATP 500 final will pit Ben Shelton against the winner of the other semifinal, contested between Germany’s Alexander Zverev, world No. 3, and Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, a tournament surprise. Zverev, a two-time Munich champion (2017, 2018), is the clear favorite, but Marozsan, ranked No. 77, has impressed with his run to his first ATP 500 semifinal. For Shelton, the final offers a chance to claim his first ATP 500 title and solidify his top-15 ranking.

• Alexander Zverev: The German advanced to the semifinals after a three-hour marathon against Tallon Griekspoor, winning 6-7(6), 7-6(3), 6-4.
• Fabian Marozsan: The Hungarian defeated Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-6(4), chasing his first ATP 500 final.
• Shelton’s finals record: The American won the ATP 250 in Houston (2023) and reached the ATP 500 final in Washington (2023).

The clay season and Munich’s significance

The 2025 clay season is just heating up, and the Munich ATP 500 serves as an early gauge for players ahead of bigger events like the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000s and Roland Garros. For Ben Shelton, Munich is proof he can hold his own on clay, even against seasoned opponents. His wins over Gojo, Van de Zandschulp, Darderi, and Cerundolo highlight his versatility and adaptability.

For Francisco Cerundolo, Munich was a strong showing despite the semifinal loss. His commanding performances in earlier rounds position him well for the rest of the clay season. The Argentine will likely use the Munich experience to fine-tune his game, particularly in clutch moments, as he eyes deeper runs in upcoming tournaments. The clay season offers Cerundolo a chance to add to his 2025 win tally and potentially claim his first title of the year.

Munich also showcased the depth of the men’s game’s next generation. Beyond Shelton, 22, and Cerundolo, 26, players like Fabian Marozsan, 25, and Arthur Fils, a semifinalist at the Barcelona Open, are making waves. This blend of raw talent, physicality, and competitive drive sets the stage for thrilling rivalries in the years ahead, especially at Grand Slams.

Defining moments of the match

The Shelton-Cerundolo semifinal hinged on a handful of pivotal moments. The second-set tiebreak was the match’s emotional peak, with Cerundolo holding a set point only for Shelton to respond with an ace and a flurry of aggressive points, flipping the momentum. In the third set, Shelton’s break in the seventh game proved decisive, giving him a 4-3 lead he wouldn’t relinquish.

Shelton’s ability to mix up his game stood out. While his powerful serve and forehand are his trademarks, he showed finesse with slices and extended rallies to counter Cerundolo’s spin-heavy game. Cerundolo, meanwhile, targeted Shelton’s backhand with heavy topspin but couldn’t sustain his early consistency. The match underscored the importance of mental toughness in elite-level tennis.

• Clutch ace: Shelton sealed the second-set tiebreak with an ace, neutralizing Cerundolo’s set point.
• Critical break: Shelton’s break in the seventh game of the third set shifted the match in his favor.
• Mental resilience: Shelton stayed calm after dropping the first set and an early break in the third.

Ranking implications and 2025 outlook

Shelton’s Munich performance is likely to boost his ATP ranking. Sitting at No. 15, a strong showing in the final—especially a title—could push him closer to the top 10. For Cerundolo, the semifinal run should keep him steady at No. 22, with potential to climb higher with solid results in upcoming events.

The 2025 men’s tennis season is shaping up as a transitional period. With veterans like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal facing physical challenges and young stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Ben Shelton stepping up, the sport is evolving. Munich, with its mix of established names like Zverev and rising talents like Shelton and Marozsan, reflects this shift. Shelton’s final is a chance to cement his status as a future star, while Cerundolo will look to regroup for events like the Barcelona Open or the Masters 1000s.

Clay season calendar

The 2025 clay season is packed with high-stakes tournaments, and Munich is just the beginning. The upcoming events will be critical for players like Shelton and Cerundolo as they build momentum for Roland Garros.

• Barcelona Open (April 14-20): An ATP 500 event featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune.
• Madrid Masters 1000 (April 28-May 11): A premier clay event with top-10 players.
• Rome Masters 1000 (May 5-18): The final major tune-up before Roland Garros.
• Roland Garros (May 25-June 8): The year’s second Grand Slam and clay’s ultimate prize.

The next generation takes center stage

Men’s tennis is in the midst of a generational shift, and Ben Shelton is at the forefront. His Munich run, capped by a thrilling comeback against Cerundolo, shows he’s ready to challenge the sport’s elite. Other young players, like Holger Rune, a Barcelona Open finalist, and Arthur Fils, a semifinalist in the same event, are also making their mark. Their blend of technical skill and fearless mentality promises intense battles in the years ahead.

Francisco Cerundolo, as Argentina’s top player, carries the weight of his country’s rich tennis tradition, following in the footsteps of Juan Martín del Potro and Guillermo Vilas. His 20 wins in 2025 reflect his consistency, and he remains a strong contender on clay.

The Munich final, whether against Zverev or Marozsan, will be a defining moment for Shelton. A title would not only mark his first ATP 500 triumph but also signal his arrival as a multi-surface threat. For fans, the matchup guarantees high-level tennis, with a young American aiming to make history on German soil.