Jaume Munar is capping 2025 with his best season yet, and his dominance over Ben Shelton continues to define it.
The 28-year-old Spaniard broke into the Top 40 for the first time this year, and on Thursday, he dispatched the world No. 6 Shelton in the second round at the Swiss Indoors Basel, continuing a perfect record against the American. Munar has now gone 3-0 against Shelton this season, winning all six sets played, including an earlier 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory in Dallas and a 6-2, 6-1 triumph in Rome.
In Basel, Munar’s serve was flawless, firing 10 aces and committing zero double faults, while never dropping his service games to claim a 6-3, 6-4 win over the No. 2 seed.
“It feels great to close out the year with another big win indoors,” Munar said. “Ben is a tough opponent, but I’ve been able to execute my game plan well this season.”
Munar’s indoor performance in 2025 has been a revelation. Prior to this year, he was just 4-16 on indoor courts. This season, he has won five of six indoor matches and is unbeaten against left-handed opponents, cementing his reputation as a tricky adversary in controlled conditions.
Earlier this week, Munar was named to Spain’s Davis Cup Finals roster in Bologna by captain David Ferrer, joining Carlos Alcaraz, Pedro Martinez, and doubles specialist Marcel Granollers. Notably, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was left off the team, while one final roster spot remains open.
For Shelton, the loss comes amid a comeback from a left-shoulder injury suffered at the US Open. The 23-year-old managed a thrilling tiebreak victory over Kamil Majchrzak in Basel but now risks dropping to No. 8 in the ATP Race to Turin if Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Musetti reach the Vienna final, or to No. 7 if only one makes the championship match.
With Felix Auger-Aliassime fresh off a Brussels title and Casper Ruud building momentum after Stockholm, the ATP Finals race remains wide open. Shelton’s loss in Basel gives Munar another highlight in a breakout season, and a reminder of his growing threat on indoor courts.
