Taylor Fritz claimed his first title of the yr with a 6-3 7-6(0) win over high seed Alexander Zverev within the Stuttgart Open remaining on Sunday, extending his successful streak in opposition to the German to 5 matches.
Fritz, who knocked out Zverev within the fourth spherical of Wimbledon final yr, gained the opening set 6-3 in half-hour with out going through a break level. The American second seed broke for a 5-3 lead after Zverev double-faulted twice and missed a volley on the internet.
The second set stayed on serve, with Zverev saving the one break level at 5-5 earlier than Fritz pulled away in a one-sided tiebreak to seal victory. It was Fritz’s ninth profession title, fourth on grass, and improved his head-to-head report in opposition to Zverev to 8-5.
“I’m really happy especially as it was not too great of a clay season. And then from that place to come here and start the grass season off perfectly, I am super happy to win the title and do it here,” mentioned Fritz, who gained the ATP 250 title with out dropping serve all event.
“I don’t have much time to celebrate. I have doubles tomorrow in London, in Queen’s.”
The 28-year-old Zverev, ranked third on this planet, is but to win a title on grass, a floor he has lengthy struggled on. The three-times Grand Slam finalist has by no means progressed past the fourth spherical at Wimbledon.
“I’ve had enough, stay away from me. Please don’t come to Germany for the next two or three years,” Zverev mentioned, having misplaced his third remaining on grass after losses to Roger Federer in Halle 2017 and fellow German Florian Mayer in Halle 2016.
World quantity seven Fritz, 27, is ready to rise to fourth within the rankings forward of Wimbledon, which runs from June 30 to July 13. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Published – June 16, 2025 03:24 am IST
