MUNICH: World number three Alexander Zve­rev fired nine aces en rou­t­e to toppling Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 on Saturday to set up a Munich Open final showdown with American Ben Shelton on his 28th birthday.

The German top seed will be gunning for his 24th career title, and third in Munich, in front of his home fans. The final is the 38th of Zverev’s career and first since he lost to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January.

“It’s awesome, the entire week has been amazing, said Zverev who is now one win away from equalling countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber’s haul of three Munich titles. “I thought Fabian played extremely well and I’m just happy to be in the final.”

Second seed Shelton fought hard to secure a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 win over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. “To get a win on clay against a guy like that gives me a lot of confidence, and to be in an [ATP] 500 final over here, I’m really happy,” Shelton said.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2025