Hamburg Open 2025: Shelton, De Minaur survive three-set scares in Round 1
Synopsis
Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur scraped through at Hamburg, but the day's real story came from Geneva — where a 41-year-old Stan Wawrinka became the oldest ATP clay-court winner since Jimmy Connors in 1994, surviving a deciding tie-break as a wild card. The clay season's final stretch is throwing up results that defy seedings and age alike.
Key Takeaways
Ben Shelton (World No.
6) beat lucky loser Marcos Giron 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) at the Hamburg Open on 19 May 2025 — his first win since his Munich title last month.
Alex de Minaur (third seed) defeated Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 , ending a three-match losing streak .
Stan Wawrinka , aged 41 , won at the Geneva Open to become the oldest ATP clay-court winner since Jimmy Connors in 1994 .
Stefanos Tsitsipas needed six match points to close out a 6-4, 7-6(8) win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Geneva.
German pair Daniel Altmaier and Yannick Hanfmann won in front of home crowds in Hamburg.
Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur both survived gruelling three-set first-round contests at the Hamburg Open 2025 on 19 May, advancing despite stern tests from lower-ranked opponents on the German clay. The results underline the unpredictability of the clay-court season as the circuit heads toward its final stretch before Roland Garros.
Shelton Grinds Past Giron in Tie-Break
World No. 6 Ben Shelton, the second seed in Hamburg, defeated lucky loser Marcos Giron 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) in a match that tested his composure. Shelton opened confidently, taking the first set with authority, before Giron levelled by claiming the second. The American steadied himself in the deciding tie-break, converting cleanly to seal the win 7-3 in the third-set breaker.
Notably, this was Shelton's first victory since he lifted the title in Munich last month — a reminder that even top-10 form can carry rust. His ability to reset under pressure in the tie-break will be an encouraging sign ahead of deeper rounds.
De Minaur Ends Three-Match Losing Run
Third seed Alex de Minaur came from a set down to overcome Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, snapping a three-match losing streak in the process. The Australian was outplayed in the opener but grew into the contest, raising his level decisively in the third set to close out a comfortable 6-3 finish.
This is the final stretch of the clay-court season for de Minaur, a surface that has historically been his least comfortable. The win, however hard-earned, restores momentum ahead of what is expected to be a demanding draw in Hamburg.
German Crowd Favourites and Other Winners
Home fans had reason to celebrate as German duo Daniel Altmaier and Yannick Hanfmann both progressed through their first-round matches. Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Camilo Ugo Carabelli also advanced, as did Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Czech newcomer Jakub Mensik, rounding out a busy opening day on the Hamburg clay.
Wawrinka Makes History at Geneva Open
At the Geneva Open, Stan Wawrinka produced one of the day's most remarkable results. The 41-year-old Swiss wild card defeated Italy's Raul Brancaccio 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(5), surviving a tense deciding tie-break to become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour clay-court match since Jimmy Connors in 1994. The milestone adds another chapter to Wawrinka's storied late-career run on the tour.
Tsitsipas Advances After Match-Point Drama in Geneva
Greek wild card Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced at Geneva but not without considerable difficulty. Leading 6-2 in the second-set tie-break, Tsitsipas squandered several opportunities before finally converting his sixth match point to defeat France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 7-6(8). Fifth seed Arthur Rinderknech also progressed, joined by unseeded players Alex Michelsen, Lithuania's Edas Butvilas, and Argentine pair Mariano Navone and Francisco Comesana.
With both tournaments now past the first round, the clay-court season's final chapter is set for an intriguing second round across Hamburg and Geneva.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ben Shelton perform at the Hamburg Open 2025?
Ben Shelton, seeded second and ranked World No. 6, beat lucky loser Marcos Giron 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3) in the first round of the Hamburg Open on 19 May 2025. It was his first win since claiming the Munich title the previous month.
How did Alex de Minaur's Hamburg Open 2025 first-round match go?
Alex de Minaur came from a set down to defeat Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, ending a three-match losing streak. The Australian third seed grew stronger as the match progressed, taking the final set 6-3.
What record did Stan Wawrinka set at the Geneva Open 2025?
Stan Wawrinka, 41, became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour clay-court match since Jimmy Connors in 1994, defeating Italy's Raul Brancaccio 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(5) as a wild card at the Geneva Open on 19 May 2025.
How close was Tsitsipas to losing at the Geneva Open?
Stefanos Tsitsipas needed six match points before finally defeating France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 7-6(8). He had led 6-2 in the second-set tie-break before Perricard pushed him to the brink.
Which other players advanced at Hamburg and Geneva on 19 May 2025?
At Hamburg, Germans Daniel Altmaier and Yannick Hanfmann progressed alongside Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Czech player Jakub Mensik. At Geneva, Arthur Rinderknech, Alex Michelsen, Edas Butvilas, Mariano Navone, and Francisco Comesana also advanced.
