Alexander Zverev marks birthday with third Munich title

MUNICH – World No. 3 Alexander Zverev celebrated his birthday with a comfortable win over American Ben Shelton in the Munich Open final on April 20 to claim a record-equalling third title.

The 28-year-old German crowd favourite delivered a composed display to overcome second seed Shelton 6-2, 6-4 and secure his 24th career tour title, his first of the season.

Said Zverev: “It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany. It’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”

Having lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2018, Zverev has now matched fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record of three Munich titles.

Backed by strong home support, the top seed dominated the 22-year-old Shelton, breaking early to take control. He comfortably claimed the first set 6-2 and opened the second with another break to keep up the momentum.

Said Shelton: “I would have liked to have said this is a birthday present, but I had no clue it was your birthday.

“I feel blessed to play in front of you guys on Easter Sunday, it’s really special for me.”

Zverev returned the praise, saying his American opponent was “becoming one of the most dangerous players on every surface and it’s great to see”.

The world No. 3 capped off the tournament’s debut as an ATP 500 event by becoming the first German to lift the upgraded trophy, earning his sixth career title on home soil.

Over on the WTA Tour, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko cruised through her semi-final against Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Stuttgart Open on April 20, winning in straight sets to make the final.

World No. 24 Ostapenko won 6-4, 6-4 and will play world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who beat world No. 6 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in the other semi-final.

The final is Ostapenko’s first on clay since she won the French Open in 2017.

“I always knew my game was there”, Ostapenko said after making the 24th final of her career.

“I always believed in myself and that’s the most important thing. I believe I can beat everyone”.

Ostapenko made the semi-finals after an impressive win over world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who boasted an 11-1 record on the Stuttgart clay before her elimination on April 19.

Now considered more of a doubles specialist, this is Ostapenko’s second singles final of the season after the Qatar Open in February, when she lost to American Amanda Anisimova.

The defeat means Alexandrova’s underdog run in Stuttgart came to an end. The Russian, ranked 22nd in the world, arrived in the semi-finals after beating American world No. 3 Jessica Pegula and rising teenage star Mirra Andreeva, both in straight sets.

Ostapenko’s win means she now holds a 6-5 record in 11 career meetings with Alexandrova.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona Open delivered the perfect serve for inclusion in elite tennis on April 18 by providing youngster Alessandra Bonomi the platform to become the first ball kid with Down syndrome to work unassisted in an ATP Tour match.

Bonomi performed her duties impeccably during the men’s doubles quarter-finals at Andres Gimeno Court, drawing cheers from spectators and plenty of encouragement on social media after the tournament highlighted her achievement.

“For us there’s a lot of work behind it. It’s an idea that was a dream when we proposed it, and bringing it to reality is very exciting for everyone,” said Marc Visiedo, the chief of the Barcelona Open Ball Kids, on the tournament’s website.

Down syndrome can cause developmental delays, intellectual disability and increase the risk for some medical issues in individuals who have the condition.

“It’s showing the world that anyone, even those with a disability, can achieve anything they want in life, based on self-improvement and effort,” Visiedo said. REUTERS, AFP