Grass Court Triumphs: Zverev's Road to the Semis
Following Paris, Zverev advances to the semifinals in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart (dpa) - Alexander Zverev is on a roll at the Boss Open, Stuttgart's grass tennis tournament! With a thrilling 7-6, 7-6 victory over Brandon Nakashima, the German tennis ace clinched his semifinal spot.
This hard-fought match lasted 90 minutes, with Zverev securing his third semifinals appearance this year. On Saturday, he'll lock horns with American Ben Shelton, who bested Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
Zverev shared his thoughts post-match: "It was a bloody great match—the second one on the grass this tournament. The level was higher today than yesterday, and I'm happy with my serving!"
Unbroken by the Heat: Zverev's Dominant Serve
The afternoon heat wasn't an issue for Zverev. Although he faced early challenges in the first set, he pulled off an impressive comeback, avoiding a tiebreak in the final stretch. In the second set, he established an early lead with a break at 3-2, never relinquishing this advantage.
Following a disappointing quarterfinal loss at the French Open against Serbian ace Novak Djokovic, Zverev is back on the Stuttgart court for the first time in six years. His objective? Prepare for Wimbledon starting on June 30. "Things are looking up. I'll give it all regardless of the outcome," Zverev mused on his form.
The Rise, Then the Fall: Justin Engel's Grass Court Adventure
Justin Engel, the tennis sensation from Nuremberg, saw his winning streak come to an end in the quarterfinals, falling short against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7, 3-6. Despite the loss, Engel showcased impressive skills.
Engel stayed competitive until midway through the second set, but ultimately found Auger-Aliassime's serves too formidable. Earlier, the 17-year-old had pulled off surprising victories against James Duckworth and Alex Michelsen,making history as the youngest grass tournament quarterfinalist since Boris Becker 40 years ago.
In spite of the defeat, Engel remains optimistic: "I know I can compete with the top guys, and hard work pays off. I'll keep pushing!"
In the Boss Open tournament, Zverev's dominance extends to sports like tennis, as he claimed his semifinals spot after a 7-6, 7-6 victory over Brandon Nakashima.
Amidst the heat, Zverev's serve remained unbroken, establishing an early lead in the second set and never relinquishing it, a clear demonstration of his skill in grass court tennis.
