Shelton avenges Munich final defeat to claim first European clay title
A year after losing this final to Zverev, Shelton (No 2) came back and won it 6-2, 7-5, dropping just six points on his first serve against Cobolli (No 4).
Ben Shelton, Munich 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Ben Shelton, the second seed, defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli, the No 4 seed, 6-2, 7-5 to win the BMW Open by Bitpanda on Sunday in Munich, going one better than last year and claiming the biggest clay-court title of his career.
Twelve months ago, Shelton lost this final to Alexander Zverev in straight sets. On Sunday, with Zverev eliminated in the semi-finals by the very man across the net, Shelton made no mistake. He dominated the opening set and withstood the only genuine moment of danger in the second – Cobolli leading 5-4, 0-30 on the American’s serve.
Shelton was able to hold, then broke immediately on a double fault to close out the match on his own terms. He lost just six points on his first serve across the entire final.
The victory over Cobolli, ranked No 16 and inside the top 20, was Shelton’s first against a top-20 opponent on clay in five attempts. It is his fifth career title, his second on clay, and his third at ATP 500 level, making him the first American to reach that tally in the series since its inception in 2009.
The week belonged to Shelton and Cobolli
He is also the fifth American man to win an ATP Tour title on clay outside the United States this century, and the first to do so above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi in Rome in 2002. His development on the surface has been steady rather than spectacular – and Munich is the reward for that persistence. He is also the first American to reach back-to-back finals on European clay since Jim Courier at Roland-Garros in 1991-93. This time, he won.
The week belonged to both finalists. Cobolli had produced one of the performances of the tournament on Saturday, dismantling defending champion Zverev 6-3, 6-3 in 69 minutes to reach the first ATP 500 final of his career. The crowd had taken to the Italian all wee. In the end Shelton was simply better on the day, and the American made sure to say so, and much more, on court.
“I want to congratulate Flavio, Shelton said. I know this was an emotional week for you. Some of the tennis you were coming up with was outstanding. Your match yesterday was a privilege to watch. Top 10 soon. Just happy to see the progress both of us have made throughout the last few years.”
Cobolli was equally warm. “Me and Ben started the week together cheering for Bayern Munich in the Champions League,” he said. “Then we played the final here. Today he was better than me in tennis — but in football, that’s never happened.”
It is Shelton’s second title of 2026, following his Dallas win in February. Madrid – very rapid clay… – is next.
