Taylor Fritz recorded a 6-3 7-6(0) win over top seed Alexander Zverev in the final of the Stuttgart Open on Sunday to win his first title of the year.
Fritz extended his winning run against Zverev to five consecutive wins with a dominant performance, winning the first set 6-3 in 30 minutes without facing a break point.
The second set stayed on serve, with Zverev saving the only break point at 5-5 before Fritz pulled away in a one-sided tiebreak to seal victory.
It was Fritz’s ninth career title, fourth on grass, and improved his head-to-head record against Zverev to 8-5.
Fritz tallied 11 aces, and zero double faults. He landed 71% of his first serves, winning points on 88% and 71% of his first and second serves, respectively.
Zverev tallied six aces and two double faults. However, he landed 70% of his first serves, winning points on 73% and 47% of his first and second serves, respectively.
Fritz was delighted to win his first trophy of the year while quickly switching his attention to the doubles in London on Monday.
He said: “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.
“I don’t have much time to celebrate. I have doubles tomorrow in London, in Queen’s.”
Fritz did not drop a set throughout the tournament, and is the first player to win a tour-level trophy without losing serve since Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Basel last October.
