Ben Shelton (USA) saved two match points and advanced to the second round of the ATP 500 Bavarian International tennis tournament in Munich, Germany with a prize money of 2.5 million EUR.
The second-seeded Ben Shelton fought back to defeat Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo by 2-1 (4:6, 7:6(6), 7:6(3)) after two and a half hours of play to record his first clay court victory of the season. Borna Gojo served 14 aces and kept a hold on the match but failed to capitalize. He led 6-4 in the second set tiebreak but was able to turn the tables.
For a place in the quarterfinals, the 22-year-old American, who world’s No 15, will face the winner of the match between Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) and the runner-up in the competition in 2022 and 2023, Botic van de Zandschulp (Netherlands), who entered the main draw this season as a “lucky loser” from the qualifiers.
Serbian player Miomir Kecmanovic also saved two match points and eliminated Marcos Giron (USA) by 2-1 (6:2, 6:7(2), 7:6(9)) after almost three hours of play. Miomir Kecmanovic was on point from elimination at 6-7 and 8-9 in the tiebreak of the third set, but managed to reach the victory.
The top-seeded and two-time champion in 2017 and 2018 Alexander Zverev (Germany) starts later today against Alexandre Muller (France). Another representative of the hosts, Jan-Lennard Struff, will begin the defense of his title tomorrow against fifth-seeded Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina).
