MUNICH >> 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.

Top-seeded Sabalenka beats Paolini to set up Porsche Grand Prix final against unseeded Ostapenko

STUTTGART, Germany >> Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka won 7-5, 6-4 against Jasmine Paolini of Italy on Sunday to set up a clay-court Porsche Grand Prix final against unseeded Jelena Ostapenko.

The No.1-ranked Sabalenka has conserved some energy in the tournament. The 26-year-old Belarussian got a bye through the first round and a walkover in the second.

Sabalenka looked sharp against the fifth-seeded Paolini, last year’s French Open runner-up, breaking her serve six times.

Sabalenka owns three Grand Slam titles and will aim for her 20th career title overall but her first at the Porsche Grand Prix, where she lost her three previous finals at the Stuttgart tournament.

The 27-year-old Ostapenko, who is Latvian, earlier won 6-4, 6-4 against Ekaterina Alexandrova and is bidding for her ninth career title.

Ostapenko won the French Open in 2017 with a high-risk brand of big-hitting tennis and improbable winners.

Rune upsets Alcaraz in straight sets to win Barcelona Open

BARCELONA, Spain >> Holger Rune upset home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Sunday to win the Barcelona Open for his first title since 2023.

Rune defeated the Spaniard 7-6 (6), 6-2 for his first title since winning in Munich two years ago, and fifth overall. It was the Dane’s first ATP 500 title.

“It means the world, it was such a great match,” Rune said. “In the beginning, I was a little bit stressed, because Carlos obviously plays big-time tennis. I had to breathe a lot and find my rhythm. After he broke me, I got more into the match and played my tennis. The first set was a big battle, it was super important to win it and gain the momentum. I’m so proud of myself.”

Alcaraz was coming off a nine-match winning streak that included his first Monte Carlo Masters title last weekend. He was searching for his third title of the year and 19th of his career. He won the Barcelona Open in 2022 and 2023.

Rune, runner-up to Jack Draper at Indian Wells, rallied from a break down in the opener and converted his fourth set point. He cruised in the second set against Alcaraz, who twice needed treatment on his upper right leg.

“I’m very happy with how I stayed composed when it mattered, and I was really brave,” Rune said.

Alcaraz will lose his No. 2 ranking to Alexander Zverev, who won his third Munich title on Sunday.

“Congratulations Holger on an amazing week,” Alcaraz said. “Coming here and showing a great effort to make the people enjoy watching tennis, I appreciate that. We’ve been seeing each other since (we were) 12 years old. Time flies. I’m really happy to see us in this position, how far we’ve (come). Keep going.”

It was the first ATP tour-level final between two players aged 21-and-under since 2022. Both are 21.