Alexander Zverev downs Ben Shelton to win third Munich title

MUNICH (AP) — Top-seeded Alexander Zverev beat second-seeded American Ben Shelton 6-2, 6-4 to win his third Munich title on Sunday.

It was the big-serving German player's first title of the year and 24th overall on the ATP tour. He previously won the clay-court tournament in 2017 and '18.

“It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” said Zverev, who celebrated his 28th birthday. ”It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way."

Shelton was playing in his fourth career final and second on clay after winning in Houston last year.

In sunny conditions at the BMW Open, Zverev served for the match and set up match point with a sliced backhand at the net that Shelton could not get back in.

He clinched the win with a sharp backhand volley at the net following a brief rally. It was a dominant performance on serve from Zverev, who did not face a break point.

Zverev's day got even better, moving back into second place in the ATP rankings after Carlos Alcaraz — who beat the German in last year's French Open final — lost the Barcelona Open final to Holger Rune to drop to No. 3.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Germany's Alexander Zverev celebrates after winning the tennis final match against Ben Shelton of the US at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Germany's Alexander Zverev lifts the trophy after winning the tennis final match against Ben Shelton of the US at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Winner Germany's Alexander Zverev, right, and second placed Ben Shelton of the US pose after the final match at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Germany's Alexander Zverev kisses the trophy after winning the tennis final match against Ben Shelton of the US at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Germany's Alexander Zverev returns the ball to Ben Shelton of the US during the men's final tennis match at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Ben Shelton of the US returns the ball to Germany's Alexander Zverev during the men's final tennis match at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Germany's Alexander Zverev returns the ball to Ben Shelton of the US during the men's final tennis match at the ATP Tour in Munich, Germany, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

DALLAS (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 33 points and the Denver Nuggets held on for a 118-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, who were without Cooper Flagg for the second half after the rookie No. 1 overall pick sprained his left ankle Wednesday night.

The Nuggets were comfortably in front when Flagg turned the ankle as he stumbled to the court when he was called for a foul while defending Peyton Watson with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter.

Flagg limped to the locker room, but returned and played the final 2:35 before the break. He didn't come out for the second half before the announcement that he was done for the night. The 19-year-old former Duke standout scored six points in 15 minutes.

Aaron Gordon had 22 points and Watson added 18 for Denver.

Naji Marshall scored 24 points and Brandon Williams had 20 for Dallas, which shot a season-worst 14.7% from 3-point range (5 of 34).

Dallas had trimmed a 23-point deficit to five early in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer from rookie Ryan Nembhard when former Maverick Tim Hardaway answered with a 3 to start a 13-2 run that put Denver in front 101-85. Murray capped the run with a 3.

The Mavericks got back within six in the final 1:12 before Murray hit a jumper just above the free-throw line and Gordon hit two free throws.

The Mavericks ruled out Daniel Gafford in the second half with a right ankle sprain that has bothered the starting center most of the season.

The Dallas frontcourt was already missing 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II. Davis is expected to miss about six weeks with ligament damage in his left hand. Lively is out for the season following foot surgery.

Nuggets: Washington visits Saturday to start a three-game homestand.

Mavericks: The first of consecutive home games against Utah is Thursday.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) avoids the defense of Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) while preparing to take a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, left, and Denver Nuggets guard Bruce Brown scramble on a free throw by the Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, goes up for a basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)