Ben Shelton sets up Joao Fonseca QF showdown in Munich

Wednesday at the BMW Open by Bitpanda offered little relief from the chilly conditions in Munich, with temperatures only rising slightly and still posing a challenge for the players. Despite the cool weather, the action on court continues to heat up - with a dream quarterfinal clash between Ben Shelton and João Fonseca already set.

Shelton defeated Belgian wild card Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6(8) in his second-round match. The No. 2 seed of the ATP 500 event fired four aces and won 71 per cent of his second-service points to secure victory in one hour and 46 minutes.

“Finding ways to win points without just serving or hitting through him was key today,” Shelton said after reaching his fifth quarterfinal of the season.

What does he expect from his first tour-level meeting with Fonseca on Friday? “He is a very complete player for his age. We have never played on the tour, but I hit with him in Mallorca. He has a great forehand, moves well and plays well on the backhand, too. I am definitely looking to mix things up and use everything I have.”

Shelton, who attended an FC Bayern Munich football match during his stay in the Bavarian capital last year, is already looking forward to the German record champions’ upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. And what’s his prediction for tonight’s result? “I hope Bayern wins,” Shelton answered with a smile.

Fonseca eases past Rinderknech

Earlier, Fonseca opened Center Court action with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 7 seed Arthur Rinderknech to become the second teenager to reach the quarterfinals of the BMW Open by Bitpanda this decade, after Holger Rune in 2022 and 2023.

The 19-year-old Brazilian earned his second consecutive victory over the Frenchman following his win in Monte-Carlo last week. Fonseca saved all nine break points he faced and converted three of his seven break-point opportunities to advance in one hour and 21 minutes.

“Saving the break points was key today,” Fonseca said after reaching his sixth ATP Tour quarterfinal of the season, his third at ATP 500 level. “I was super focused on today’s match, as I knew it was becoming difficult. Arthur is a player full of weapons, using serve and volley as well as drop shots.

“I like to play aggressively, to attack and dominate the points. I was trying to do that when I was serving and returning. He was returning most of the time from the baseline, putting a lot of pressure on me. Overall, it was a tight match, and I am happy to be performing well during the important points.”

Fonseca will become the first Brazilian to reach the quarterfinals in Munich since Thomaz Bellucci in 2014 and will face Shelton on Friday.

Cobolli, Kopriva advance

Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli remained untroubled during his 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. The No. 4 seed from Italy hit only eight winners but converted all three of his break-point opportunities to seal victory in 73 minutes.

“When you win the first round but didn’t play well, you have the opportunity to do it better in the next one. That’s what I did today. I am happy about it because it wasn’t easy,” said Cobolli, who edged past German qualifier Diego Dedura in his opening match. “I love to play in Munich in front of the German crowd, although it’s not easy to play at altitude, as it’s tough to control the ball, but I did a good job.”

Cobolli will next take on Vit Kopriva from the Czech Republic, who fought past Italian Luciano Darderi 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in exactly two hours of play.

Marozsan masters Tsitsipas on second day

In the remaining first-round match, Fabian Marozsan ended the Munich debut of Stefanos Tsitsipas at an early stage of the tournament.

The 26-year-old Hungarian, who had to save a match point on Tuesday evening before bad light stopped play at the beginning of the third set, emerged victorious, rallying 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. Marozsan won 52 per cent of the total points played to prevail after two hours and 28 minutes.

“It was tough to refocus on a second day,” Marozsan said. “Yesterday, I managed to come back after losing the opening set. Conditions were different today, and Stefanos is a great player. The courts were a little soft with the bounces, but I just tried to focus on myself, and I am really happy to beat him in my second attempt.”

The world No. 42, who reached the semi-finals in Munich last year, will next face Denis Shapovalov of Canada. “I like to play in Munich. I have many friends here, and it’s a great feeling to come back and play one of the bigger tournaments,” Marozsan added.