Ben Shelton beats Flavio Cobolli to win Munich Open

Ben Shelton is a Munich Open champion. The big American lefty turned last year's disappointment into a statement, dismantling Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 to claim the title in Bavaria.

This was Shelton doing what Shelton does best — imposing his will from the jump. The 6-2 first set tells you everything about the kind of heat he was bringing, and holding things together for a 7-5 second set shows the maturity that's been creeping into his game. Cobolli never found a foothold.

The redemption arc here is real. Whatever stung in Munich last time around, Shelton answered it the right way — with a trophy. That's the kind of momentum you want heading deeper into the clay swing.