From Break Down to Win: Shelton Tops Nava in Munich Thriller

Shelton keeps ATP 500 streak alive with Munich comeback win

World No. 6 Ben Shelton battled past American compatriot Emilio Nava in three sets at the Munich Open as he targets revenge for last year’s final loss to Zverev.

Shelton fights back to beat Nava, sets up Munich Open round of 16 clash...

Second-seeded American Ben Shelton edged fellow countryman and lucky loser Emilio Nava 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3 on Monday to advance at the Munich Open.

After coming back from a break down in the final set, the world No. 6 moves on to face either Alexander Blockx or Yannick Hanfmann in the next round.

Second seed Ben Shelton rallied from a break down in the third set to beat Emilio Nava 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 at the Munich Open, staying 6-0 in ATP 500s this year.

“It's tough. Not just (playing against) another American, but probably my best friend out on tour, or one of a few,” Shelton said.

“His trajectory has been steep lately, so I'm happy to see the way he has been climbing (the rankings),” Shelton added of the 112th-ranked Nava.

“I know he wasn't feeling 100 percent today, so I feel bad about that. I hope he gets back to 100 percent quickly, because he's playing great on the clay.”

Finding a way through to round two 🙌@BenShelton comes back from a break down in the third to defeat Nava 7-6 3-6 6-3 #bmwopenbybitpanda pic.twitter.com/OHMR8VKyrE

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 13, 2026

The victory keeps Shelton perfect in ATP 500 events this season at 6-0, as the 23-year-old looks to improve on last year’s runner-up finish on Munich’s clay and capture his first career title on the surface.

Shelton fell to Alexander Zverev in the 2025 final, with the German back as the top seed this year. Zverev opens his campaign against Miomir Kecmanovic.

The winner will take on Gabriel Diallo in the round of 16, with the Canadian advancing after defeating Ukrainian qualifier Vitaliy Sachko 6-1, 6-2.

In other action, fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina dispatched India’s Sumit Nagal 6-2, 6-2, and seventh-seeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech moved past American Alex Michelsen in straight sets.