Shelton fails to push Zverev to a third set and loses his opening match at the ATP Finals
Ben Shelton, largely dominated by Alexander Zverev, had three set points to level the match at one set all but rushed to convert them. Zverev, a seasoned competitor at the event, was quick to capitalize and punish the American (6-3, 7-6)
Alexander Zverev, 2025 | © F. Pestellini / PsNewz
Alexander Zverev showcased his experience and discipline to overpower Ben Shelton in his opening match at the ATP Finals on Sunday in Turin (6-3, 7-6). The German displayed unwavering composure, conceding no break points and demonstrating the solidity needed to keep Shelton under control whenever the American tried to ignite the contest with his usual flare.
Shelton came agonizingly close to forcing a dramatic third set, earning three consecutive set points in the second-set tiebreak with the score at 6-3 in his favor. Zverev’s nerves held firm as he won five straight points, including the crucial match point. But Shelton can only rue the missed opportunities on those set points, two of which came on his own serve.
“Hindsight is 20/20”, Shelton said at the press conference. “6-3, I used a play that had worked a couple times for me in the match. He came up with the goods. Too good on the return. I can’t be frustrated with my decision where I served at 6-4. Kind of over-pressing on the first ball. Same as over-pressing 6-5 on the first ball after the return. Especially I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable in the rally at that point in the match. I just overplayed a little bit. Yeah, three points I wish I could have back, for sure.”
Shelton clearly pressured
On the first chance, Shelton missed a first serve, allowing Zverev a razor-sharp backhand winner. On the subsequent two, unforced forehand errors into the net – clearly pressured – cost him dearly, one of those errors occurring behind his first serve.
Between two servers as skilled as Zverev and Shelton, control of the point’s outset was always going to be decisive. And in that battle, Zverev was masterful throughout the evening. Had Shelton converted that third set, it would have been proof that miracles are indeed possible on the tennis court.
Statistically, Zverev closed the match with an impressive 82% of first serves in play, winning 85% of those points, and converted 70% of his second serve points. Conversely, Shelton won only 24% of points on his second serve, often dipping below 20% throughout the match, remaining thoroughly under Zverev’s control.
“I have one of the best second serves in the world.”
“I don’t think it’s the serve. I think it’s what I do after the serve”, Shelton analysed. “Sascha (Zverev) is one of the best second-serve returners in the world. How much length he gets, how long his arms are, he can cover the whole court. He’s a very difficult player to serve and volley against. He makes it very, very difficult. I definitely wouldn’t say anything is wrong with my second serve. I think that I have one of the best second serves in the world. I think that usually the stats show that.”
On his own serve, Shelton managed 71% first-serve accuracy and converted 78% of those points.
Zverev converted two break points
All the aggression of Bryan’s son could not impose his rhythm. Two consecutive game points lost between 2-2 and 4-2 turned Shelton into the chaser. Zverev required just two break points converted out of five opportunities.
The first day of the ATP Finals concluded with two straight-set matches and unsurprising victories for Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, who now lead their respective groups. On Monday, the Italian leg of the tournament steps up a gear with the entries of Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, slated to face Félix Auger-Aliassime (8:30 PM) and Taylor Fritz (2:00 PM), respectively.
