Ben Shelton gives his honest opinion on playing Joao Fonseca for the first time in Munich

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Ben Shelton defeated Alexander Blockx, 6-4, 7-6, to reach the Munich quarter-finals.

There, he will play Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.

Shelton and Fonseca are two of the most talked-about players in men’s tennis, but have yet to meet on the ATP Tour.

That will soon change, and Shelton has now shared his thoughts on their upcoming match.

Ben Shelton admits he’s been waiting to play Joao Fonseca

“I think it is a great match-up and one that I’ve been anticipating, waiting for,” said Shelton.

“I think it should be a lot of fun, we’re both entertainers.

“To be honest, it’s a match that I’m looking forward to.

“I think the fans are very much going to enjoy it, and that’s what I love the most.”

Shelton is looking forward to the match, but knows full well that he will need to be at his best if he is to pick up the win.

Fonseca has been mightily impressive on clay so far this year, reaching the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo and now in Munich.

Joao Fonseca on clay in 2026

• 2026 Monte Carlo Masters 1R [WIN] vs Gabriel Diallo, 6-2, 6-3
• 2026 Monte Carlo Masters 2R [WIN] vs Arthur Rinderknech, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
• 2026 Monte Carlo Masters 3R [WIN] vs Matteo Berrettini, 6-3, 6-2
• 2026 Monte Carlo Masters QF [LOSS] vs Alexander Zverev, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6
• 2026 Munich Open 1R [WIN] vs Alejandro Tabilo, 7-6, 6-3
• 2026 Munich Open 2R [WIN] vs Arthur Rinderknech, 6-3, 6-2

Shelton, on the other hand, only won one match in Houston and chose to skip the Monte Carlo Masters.

On form, you would have to back Fonseca, but experience is key, and Shelton is not only four years older than his quarter-final opponent, but he’s also a former finalist in Munich.

And despite winning just three matches on clay so far this year, the 23-year-old is starting to adjust to the surface, passing a tricky test against Blockx.

Ben Shelton on clay in 2026

• 2026 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships 2R [WIN] vs Zhang Zhizhen, 7-6, 7-6
• 2026 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships QF [LOSS] vs Thiago Tirante, 7-6, 4-6, 4-6
• 2026 Munich Open 1R [WIN] vs Emilio Nava, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
• 2026 Munich Open 2R [WIN] vs Alexander Blockx, 6-4, 7-6

“Yeah, it was a great test. I think that he has got a pretty complete game, a good mover for his size, a great server, he returns well, and plays well from the ground,” said Shelton.

“He’s a big talent. I saw some of his matches in challengers over the last 12, 18 months, and I knew that he was a problem, so excited to continue to watch him rise and happy to be in the quarters.

“I was trying to be aggressive and free.

Ben Shelton vs Alexander Blockx – Match stats

“I kind of built on the last match that I played, and found some really good tennis.

“He definitely didn’t make things easy, it was difficult at times, I thought I was going to lose the second set, was down some set points, but to be able to hold my nerve, come up with the plays that I needed to in the big moments, gives me a lot of confidence.”

Only time will tell if he can put that confidence to good use as he progresses through the Munich Open draw.

Who else could Ben Shelton play in Munich?

Shelton has work to do against Fonseca, but who could he play if he reaches the semi-finals?

The American will play either Alex Molcan, Daniel Altmaier, Fabian Marozsan, or Denis Shapovalov.

With all due respect to the unseeded quartet, Shelton would be a heavy favourite against all of them.

He might not be so favoured in the final, though.

Players Ben Shelton could face in the Munich final

• [1] Alexander Zverev
• [4] Flavio Cobolli
• [5] Francisco Cerundolo
• [6] Luciano Darderi
• Gabriel Diallo
• Botic van de Zandschulp
• Zizou Bergs
• Vit Kopriva

Shelton could play the likes of Alexander Zverev, Flavio Cobolli, or Francisco Cerundolo.

He has history with Zverev in Munich, losing to the world number three in last year’s final.

Can he get his revenge in 2026?

Only time will tell…