World No.3 Alexander Zverev has celebrated his 28th birthday with a comfortable win over American Ben Shelton in the Munich Open final to claim a record-equalling third title.

The home favourite delivered a composed display to overcome second seed Shelton 6-2 6-4 in 72 minutes, securing his 24th career tour title on the tour and his first triumph of the season.

Having lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2018, Zverev has now matched fellow German Philipp Kohlschreiber's record of three Munich titles.

Backed by strong home support, the top seed dominated 22-year-old Shelton in Sunday's final, breaking early to take control. He comfortably claimed the first set 6-2 and opened the second with another break to keep up the momentum.

Zverev served for the match and set up match point with a sliced backhand at the net.

He clinched the win with a sharp backhand volley at the net following a brief rally. It was a dominant performance on serve from the German, who did not face a break point.

Zverev ended a barren run of not going beyond the quarter-finals in six tournaments since reaching the Australian Open final in January which he lost against world number one Jannik Sinner.

"I believe we don't have to talk about the past weeks. I am unbelievably happy with the title and the level I played at," Zverev told Sky TV.

He admitted to some "tough weeks" which included opening match defeats at the Masters events in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo, but added: "I will now enjoy my birthday and that I won a tournament."

Zverev capped off the tournament's debut as an ATP 500 event by becoming the first German to lift the upgraded trophy, earning his sixth career title on home soil.

with agencies