ATP 250's, Stuttgart and Hertogenbosch

[stroke]

First round had the annoying Moutet vs the annoying Fognini. They had an issue at post match handshake, which was funny and so predictable.

https://www.menstennisforums.com/threads/fognini-to-moutet-after-losing-look-at-me-you-little-pig.1036759/

[stroke]

https://nypost.com/2025/06/11/sports/fabio-fognini-calls-corentin-moutet-a-pig-piece-of-s-t-in-fiery-tennis-exchange/

[jimlosaltos]

Stuttgart ATP: " Justin Engel continued his dream run with a 6-4, 6-4 upset of Alex Michelsen. The 17-year-old Engel, who had not contested a professional match on grass prior to his first-round win against James Duckworth, broke serve in the third game of both sets to earn his first win against a Top 50 opponent.

[neilchok]

First round had the annoying Moutet vs the annoying Fognini. They had an issue at post match handshake, which was funny and so predictable.

https://www.menstennisforums.com/thr...e-pig.1036759/

this is a funny post. They are probably yelling at themselves, because each player probably represents themselves in a way

[stroke]

Opelka takes out Medvedev in 2 tiebreakers, He is LL into the semis. Certainly no one wants to play Opelka on grass. He had 23 aces.

[jimlosaltos]

Zverev out serves Ben Shelton, winning two tiebreakers.

Zverev didn't face a single BP, while Ben saved al 6 he faces.

Zverev had a +/- of 19 ( 35 winners vs 16 UFEs) while Ben had 7 ( 31 W - 24 UFE )

[jimlosaltos]

And then Fritz out server Zverev for the title, reinforcing his props for Wimbledon. 11 aces, nary a break point and won 88 % of his first-serve points

That's 5 straight for Fritz over Zverev, which once again shows how much matchups matter in pro tennis.

Curious how Cerundolo and Fritz do so well against Zverev with rather different games ( sure, two big forehands, but big forehands are a dime a dozen on the ATP )

Update: Fritz left chuckling on the bench as Zverev whines, smiling: "“Taylor, I’m f****** tired of you. I don’t wanna see you again over the next 2 to 3 years. Please stay away from me. Don’t come to Germany.”

[stroke]

Taylor just owns Zverev. To me, not surprising. Basically, Taylor just does just about everything better, and Zverev has no real solution. They are very similar, but Zverev only has one advantage, and it is very slight. His 2 handed bh is very slightly better. Fritz to me better at everything else, and I think deep down, they both know this. Great for Fritz, not good at all for Zverev.

[jimlosaltos]

Taylor just owns Zverev. To me, not surprising. Basically, Taylor just does just about everything better, and Zverev has no real solution. They are very similar, but Zverev only has one advantage, and it is very slight. His 2 handed bh is very slightly better. Fritz to me better at everything else, and I think deep down, they both know this. Great for Fritz, not good at all for Zverev.

Yet Zverev has 29 titles to Fritz's 9 titles including 7 Masters 1000 shields across hard and clay courts, 2 ATP Finals Titles, and an Olympic Gold Medal, while Fritz has one (1) lonely, solitary Masters title, that over an injured Rafa in Indian Wells.

P.S. I was there for a strange final. Both players were injured. Fritz's then coach Paul Anaconda wanted him to pull out for fear of doing further injury {ankle tendon I believe} But Rafa, after beating Carlos Alcaraz in a sandstorm couldn't move well either (pulled ab or oblique? can't recall). Fritz moved OK until the end when the ankle flared up. I think Rafa was occupied with his own problems and didn't really notice. By a late point, possibly match point, Fritz could hardly move. Came inside the court to return and Rafa put the ball right on Fritz's racket. That was the title. If Rafa had that ball to either side of the box, just gotten it there, I don't think Fritz could have moved to get it.