Tennis-Fritz lifts Stuttgart title as Zverev's grass-court wait goes on

Taylor Fritz of the USA, left, celebrates defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev of their males’s singles remaining tennis match of the Stuttgart Open, Stuttgart, Germany, on June 15, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Taylor Fritz claimed his first title of the 12 months with a 6-3 7-6(0) win over prime seed Alexander Zverev within the Stuttgart Open remaining on Sunday, extending his profitable streak towards the German to 5 matches.

Fritz, who knocked out Zverev within the fourth spherical of Wimbledon final 12 months, gained the opening set 6-3 in half-hour with out dealing with 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 document towards Zverev to 8-5.

“I am actually completely happy particularly because it was not too nice of a clay season. After which from that place to come back right here and begin the grass season off completely, I’m tremendous completely happy to win the title and do it right here,” stated Fritz, who gained the ATP 250 title with out dropping serve all match.

“I haven’t got a lot time to rejoice. I’ve doubles tomorrow in London, in Queen’s.”

The 28-year-old Zverev, ranked third on the earth, 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 sufficient, avoid me. Please do not come to Germany for the subsequent two or three years,” Zverev stated, 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 Enhancing by Christian Radnedge)