Match Report
\n Zverev finds spring in his Turin step, sees off Shelton at Nitto ATP Finals<\/p>\n
German is chasing his third title at prestigious season finale<\/p>\n
November 09, 2025<\/p>\n
Corinne Dubreuil\/ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Alexander Zverev in action against Ben Shelton on Sunday in Turin.
\n By Andy West<\/p>\n
Few events bring out the best in Alexander Zverev<\/a> more than the Nitto ATP Finals<\/a>. The two-time champion made a statement start to his latest campaign at the prestigious season finale on Sunday night in Turin, where he overcame Ben Shelton<\/a> 6-3, 7-6(6). <\/p>\n Zverev was competing for the first time since he was affected by an ankle injury in a heavy semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner<\/a> at the Rolex Paris Masters<\/a> just eight days ago, but he appeared well rested and refreshed in a high-class display against Shelton in Italy. Even when facing two set points after Shelton found a resurgence to move 6\/4 ahead in the second-set tie-break, the German kept his cool to move to 1-0 in Bjorn Borg<\/a> Group. <\/p>\n Start as you mean to go on! \ud83d\udc4f@AlexZverev<\/a> | #NittoATPFinals<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FCgIFHVWtd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) November 9, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an unbelievably aggressive player. Probably one of the most aggressive in the world,\u201d said Zverev of Shelton. \u201cIn the tie-break, he started off amazing. Yes, I missed maybe one or two first serves and the passing shot he hit (at 5\/4) was ridiculous. I felt like I had to control the things that I could control and I was doing them well. <\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, when the point is on his serve it is always in his control. When I get the return back and in the rally, then I can do something. I did that well at the end of the tie-break and I\u2019m super happy with that win.\u201d <\/p>\n The third-seeded Zverev did not face a break point in the match as Shelton struggled for consistency on his Nitto ATP Finals<\/a> debut. Zverev\u2019s ability to target Shelton\u2019s second serve was key to his 93-minute win: He won 76 per cent (16\/21) of points on return against his opponent\u2019s second delivery. <\/p>\n Despite frequently coming under pressure on his serve throughout the second set and being forced to save two break points at 2-2, Shelton competed admirably to keep Zverev on his toes and force a tie-break. The American soon appeared well-placed to force a decider when 4\/0 ahead in the tie-break, and he later held two set points at 6\/4. Yet he netted a simple forehand at 6\/5 and Zverev clinically closed out for an opening win. <\/p>\n The 28-year-old Zverev, who previously triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals<\/a> in 2018 in London and in 2021 in Turin, is bidding to become the eighth man to win three titles at the season finale.<\/p>\n With his victory at Inalpi Arena, Zverev improved to 5-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Shelton. Four of those victories have come in 2025, with the German prevailing against the American lefty this year in the Munich final, the Stuttgart semi-finals and the Cincinnati quarter-finals. <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n