Zverev clinches third Munich title; Sabalenka set for Stuttgart final
Alexander Zverev claims third Munich title; World No. 1 Sabalenka faces Ostapenko in Stuttgart showdown.
Alexander Zverev marked his 28th birthday by clinching his third Munich Open title, defeating American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4 in the final. This victory, his first of the 2025 season, also marked his 24th career ATP title. Zverev became the first German to win the tournament since its elevation to ATP 500 status and matched Philipp Kohlschreiber’s record of three Munich titles. The win also propelled Zverev to World No. 2, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP rankings.
In Stuttgart, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her fourth final at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix by defeating Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4. She will face Jelena Ostapenko, who overcame Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. Sabalenka holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over Ostapenko, including a previous clay-court victory.
Jelena Ostapenko is the 2017 French Open champion and has been in strong form this season, winning titles in Linz and Adelaide and posting key wins over top players. Her aggressive, first-strike style has troubled opponents on both hard and clay courts this year, and a win over Sabalenka would mark her biggest title of 2025 so far. Their final will be a compelling contrast of power and personalities, with both women eager to make a statement ahead of Roland Garros.
The clay-court season progresses with the Madrid Open (April 22–May 4) and the Rome Open (May 6–18). These tournaments serve as key preparations for Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.
Inside the Baseline…
Zverev’s win in Munich and Sabalenka’s consistent performance in Stuttgart highlight the momentum of top players as the clay season intensifies. Their successes set the stage for compelling matchups in the upcoming tournaments, building anticipation for Roland Garros. When Ostapenko finds her rhythm and her game clicks, she is very difficult to beat. It will be interesting to see how Sabalenka deals with playing someone who can match her power when she is on, especially as Ostapenko is filled with confidence after her win against Iga Swiatek a few days ago.
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