Fritz Defeats Zverev to Win Rain-Hit Stuttgart Final, Claims First ATP Title of the Season

Stuttgart: Taylor Fritz claimed his first ATP title of the season on Sunday, defeating top seed Alexander Zverev in straight sets in a rain-interrupted final at the Stuttgart Open.

The American secured a commanding 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) victory, navigating a lengthy rain delay early in the second set with composure and momentum. Fritz broke Zverev in the eighth game to take the first set and, despite missing a break point in the second, dominated the tie-break by winning the final 11 points of the match.

This triumph marks Fritz’s first title since lifting the Eastbourne trophy a year ago, also on grass. The win extends his impressive head-to-head record against Zverev, with five consecutive victories over the German.

Fritz is now poised to rise to No. 4 in the ATP world rankings, just one place behind Zverev. Meanwhile, Zverev continues to chase his elusive first career grass-court title and has yet to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.

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