Second-round competition in Munich begins with an intriguing showdown between Arthur Rinderknech and Joao Fonseca on Wednesday. Second seed Ben Shelton continues his title bid against Alexander Blockx.
(7) Arthur Rinderknech vs. Joao Fonseca
Rinderknech and Fonseca will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in less than two weeks when they meet again in round two of the BMW Open on Wednesday. They just faced each other at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where Fonseca prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
The 19-year-old Brazilian ended up reaching the quarterfinals in the principality, maintaining momentum from a solid Sunshine Double that featured a fourth-round appearance in Indian Wells (lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in two tiebreakers). Fonseca opened in Munich with a 7-6(1), 6-3 defeat of Alejandro Tabilo, while Rinderknech beat Alex Michelsen 6-3, 6-3. The 26th-ranked Frenchman has been unspectacular at best this season, as he comes in with a 7-8 record. An in-form Fonseca should win this matchup once again — and it probably won’t be as competitive as it was in Monte-Carlo.
Pick: Fonseca in 2
(WC) Alexander Blockx vs. (2) Ben Shelton
Shelton advanced to the Munich final last year (lost to Alexander Zverev), so he would fall from No. 6 in the rankings to No. 9 if he loses on Wednesday. The second-seeded American escaped defeat on Monday with a 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3 victory over compatriot and good friend Emilio Nava. It was a much-needed win for Shelton, who lost in the Indian Wells third round, the Miami second round, and the Houston quarterfinals.
Up next for the former NCAA singles champion is a first-ever encounter with Blockx, who is rising fast on the ATP scene. The 21-year-old Belgian was the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up and has climbed to a best-ever ranking of 72nd. He is already showing positive signs on clay, with a third-round performance in Monte-Carlo as a qualifier followed by a 7-6(2), 6-2 win over Yannick Hanfmann on Monday. With Shelton struggling a bit and not at his best on the red stuff, this is a great opportunity for Blockx.
Pick: Blockx in 3