Alexander Zverev kick-started his quest for a third ATP Finals title with a statement victory over fifth seed Ben Shelton in Turin on Sunday.

Competing for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters, Zverev appeared back to his best during a 6-3 7-6 (8-6) victory. 

The German tops the Bjorn Borg Group after the opening day of action ahead of Jannik Sinner's meeting with Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday. 

Zverev wasted little time in settling into his groove against Shelton, who was making his debut at the year-end tournament, breaking to love in the fifth game of the first set. 

From there, Zverev reeled off four of the remaining five games to edge into the lead, but American Shelton piled on the pressure in the second as he looked to force a decider. 

An enthralling one-hour-and-seven-minute second set could have ended much sooner, but Zverev squandered two early break points as Shelton managed to stay in the set. 

Shelton appeared well-placed to force a decider when 4-0 ahead in the tie-break, and later held two set points, but he was unable to get himself over the line. 

A simple forehand into the net from Shelton handed the initiative to Zverev, who comfortably closed out the match after his opponent sent a forehand wide of the left baseline. 

Start as you mean to go on! @AlexZverev | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/FCgIFHVWtd

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 9, 2025

Data Debrief: Zverev thrives on favourite stage

In what is his eighth appearance at the ATP Finals, very few tournaments bring out the best in Zverev than this one. 

Among currently active players, only Novak Djokovic (50) has claimed more career match wins at the ATP Finals than Zverev (18), and you expect him to add to that tally given his strong display against Shelton here. 

Zverev's latest ATP Finals victory also put him in stellar company, going joint-10th on the all-time list of victories at the event, equalling Stefan Edberg and Jimmy Connors.