ATP Stuttgart: Zverev is in danger, and the local 17-year-old makes history

On Thursday, the second round of the ATP Stuttgart was held, and top seed Zverev beat Mutai 6-2, 7-6(7) in 1 hour and 51 minutes to get off to a good start on grass at home. The German went through straight sets despite his ups and downs, and saved a set point when he was 5-6 down in the second set.

Zverev data map

"The first game on grass is never easy," Zverev admitted in his post-match interview, "but it's really just an ordinary game, but winning is the key." I've caused problems for myself, but a win is a win and I'm happy to be playing again tomorrow." It was his first meeting with Mutai, who converted four of his six break chances. Zverev has a 30-11 record this season, including 15-4 on home soil since last July, including his 24th tour title in Munich in April.

Zverev, who made his Stuttgart debut since 2019, will face sixth seed Brandon Nakashima in the quarter-finals, with the American knocking out compatriot Lerner Chin 7-6(5), 6-3.

The other big focus of the day was the local 17-year-old rising star Engel, who continued his dark horse run with a 6-4, 6-4 upset over Mikkelsen. The youngster, who had never played on a professional grass court before, won his first win against a top 50 player, becoming the youngest quarter-finalist in the tournament's history and the youngest grass-court player to reach the quarter-finals since Becker won Wimbledon in 1985. Engel's instant ranking soared 49 places to 232, and he rose four places to No.9 in the standings heading to the New Force Finals.

The German teenager, coached by former top 20 player Kol Schreiber, will take on two-time tournament runner-up and fourth seed Aliassime in the next round, while the Canadian will take out serve cannon Perrikar 6-4, 6-4 for his first grass-court victory since Halle 2022.

Men's Singles quarterfinals:

Zverev[1] vs Brandon Nakashima[6]

Shelton[3] vs Lehecka[8]

Aliassime[4] vs Engel[W]

Fritz[2] vs Vrsowitz[Q]

(Text, Editor/Faye Wong, Photo/Visual China)