Ben Shelton has blazed onto the ATP Tour as one of its most electrifying young forces, his thunderous lefty serve shaking arenas and his fiery charisma earning him the title “Shelton the Showman.” Fresh off securing his ATP Finals berth with a dazzling Paris Masters run, where he stunned Andrey Rublev in a last-16 masterclass, the world No. 6 has risen from raw promise to ruthless contender. Yet, the same forehand that once rocketed past 150 mph at Indian Wells couldn’t rescue the debutant in Turin, as Ben Shelton apologizes for making a costly blunder against Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals.

Few stages awaken Alexander Zverev’s finest tennis quite like the Nitto ATP Finals. Under the glittering lights of Turin, the two-time champion returned to his fortress with purpose, opening his campaign in commanding fashion. On Sunday night, he brushed aside Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(6) to announce, once again, that he remains a force when it matters most. Just eight days earlier, Zverev had limped through the Paris Masters semi-final, his ankle injury raising concerns about his readiness. But under the Italian night sky, he looked reborn, fresh, fierce, and frighteningly precise. 

Across the net, Shelton, the American, mounted a bold resurgence, surging ahead 6/4 in the second-set tie-break. But Zverev refused to flinch. Calm and cold, he clawed back the deficit, sealing the set and the match with the quiet ruthlessness that has long defined his play. And for Shelton? The night was a hard lesson wrapped in heartbreak. “I know the forehand is a weapon, but today I lost because of it. Can my second serve improve? I wouldn’t say the serve is the problem, but the choices I make after it,” Shelton admitted with a mix of honesty and regret.

Later, the 23-year-old offered a heartfelt reflection that revealed the maturity of a rising star. “A player with a serve like mine should have closed out that set… I’m sorry I didn’t, I’d like to be able to get those three points back, for sure,” he said, his words carrying both apology and ambition.

Zverev, meanwhile, was all business. He did not face a single break point throughout the contest, dissecting Shelton’s second serve with clinical precision. Winning 76 percent (16/21) of points on return against it, he built his victory not on flash, but on focus.

As the German sealed the triumph and moved to 1-0 in the Bjorn Borg Group, he had every reason to feel vindicated. His ankle held, his form roared back to life, and his statement was loud and clear: the hunter was once again on the prowl in Turin.

Alexander Zverev reflects on opening match triumph at ATP Finals

It took the third-seeded Alexander Zverev just 28 blistering minutes to dismantle Ben Shelton in the opening set, setting an early tone of dominance in Turin. But the young American was not one to fade quietly. In the second set, Shelton cranked up the intensity, his power and pace igniting the crowd and forcing Zverev to dig deeper into his arsenal.

What followed was a gripping tiebreak that had the arena on edge. Shelton surged to a 4-0 lead, his forehand blazing and his confidence soaring. Yet, when the finish line appeared within reach, nerves crept in. Three set points slipped through his fingers before a wide backhand sealed his fate after 93 minutes of relentless play.

Zverev’s triumph at the Inalpi Arena extended his flawless record against Shelton to 5-0 in their H2H. Four of those victories have come in 2025 alone, in Munich, Stuttgart, Cincinnati, and now Turin, proof that the German’s mastery over Shelton continues to grow stronger with every encounter.

In his post-match reflections, Zverev’s tone carried a mix of admiration and awareness. He praised Shelton’s fearless game, acknowledging the danger that lurks behind that booming serve and explosive forehand. “Well I mean he’s an unbelievably aggressive player, probably the most aggressive in the world,” Zverev said, his respect clear and earned.

“You know, the tie-break he started amazing and yes I missed maybe one or two first serves, the passing shot he hit was ridiculous,” he continued, highlighting the moment that nearly swung the momentum away from him.

Zverev’s composure, however, proved the difference. “I felt that I had to control the things that I could control and I was doing them well,” he said, reflecting on his calm under fire. “I did that well at the end of the tie-break so I’m super happy I got the win.”

With the victory, Zverev stands tall atop his group, his confidence simmering as he prepares for upcoming battles against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner. The road ahead is perilous, but in Turin, Zverev looks every bit the hunter chasing glory once more.