The 2025 Nitto ATP Finals kicked off with an exhilarating match-up on opening night, featuring two contrasting players from the world of professional tennis: Germany’s Alexander Zverev and American rising star Ben Shelton. Competing in Group Bjorn Borg, this encounter carried significant implications for both men as they aimed to establish their positions in the prestigious year-end event.
Zverev, currently ranked third in the world, is certainly familiar with the high stakes of this tournament, having participated seven times and securing the title on two occasions. Conversely, Shelton, ranked sixth, was making his debut at the ATP Finals, adding a layer of excitement and anticipation to the match.
Both competitors faced a tough group, especially with Jannik Sinner also in the mix. However, Zverev felt relieved not to be pitted against Taylor Fritz, against whom he has struggled historically, tallying an unsettling 0-6 in their last six meetings. In contrast, Zverev has been dominant against Shelton, winning all four of their previous encounters, making him the favored player heading into this match.
In their latest clash at the 2024 Cincinnati Masters, Zverev triumphed in a hard-fought contest, prevailing 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, but he had also dispatched Shelton in more straightforward fashion during three earlier matches in the season, including a decisive victory in Munich, where he won 6-2, 6-4.
On the other side of the net, the young American has been struggling to regain his form following a shoulder injury sustained at the U.S. Open. This injury hampered his progress in the fall swing, limiting him to just three tournaments, and resulting in a modest 3-3 match record during that period. Given these circumstances, there were questions as to whether Shelton could rise to the occasion against a player of Zverev’s caliber, especially in an indoor hard-court setting in Turin, which typically favors more experienced players.
As Zverev entered the match with confidence, having recently reached the semifinals in Paris after finishing as the runner-up in Vienna—albeit losing to Sinner on both occasions—the veteran player seemed well-equipped to secure another victory.
Ultimately, with the stakes high and the dynamics heavily tilted in Zverev’s favor, the expectation was clear: he was poised to take this match in straight sets. As the two players stepped onto the court, fans anticipated not only a display of skill and resilience but also the continuation of a storyline that saw the established star face off against the promising newcomer in a battle of wills and talent.
