Zverev Subdues Shelton With Tiebreak Escape in ATP Finals Opener

The two-time champion credited the result to managing Shelton’s high-risk pace rather than to experience.

Overview

Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(6) in Turin, erasing a 0-4 and 3-6 deficit in the second-set tiebreak by winning five straight points.
Zverev called Shelton “one of the most aggressive” players and rejected suggestions that age or experience decided the match.
With the victory, Zverev moved to 5-0 against Shelton and extended a reported run of 36 wins in his past 37 matches against left-handers.
The win puts Zverev at 1-0 in the Bjorn Borg Group as he begins his eighth ATP Finals campaign in pursuit of a third season-ending title.
The result marked Zverev’s 18th match win at the ATP Finals, tying Stefan Edberg and Jimmy Connors on the event’s all-time list.