As the ATP Tour transitions from Roland Garros to the grass-court season, Alexander Zverev is making strides at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, where he secured a victory against Corentin Moutet. The World No. 3 celebrated a 6-2, 7-6 win, though he expressed mixed feelings about his performance, saying, “The first match on grass is never easy.” Zverev acknowledged that while he would have preferred a more decisive scoreline, he values the win nonetheless, stating, “But I won in the end and that’s the most important thing.”
In acknowledging the challenges faced during the match, Zverev revealed that Moutet, currently ranked No. 91 in the world, presented a tougher second set, even pushing Zverev to the brink with a set point at 5-6. Looking ahead, Zverev is set to take on American Brandon Nakashima, the World No. 31 and sixth seed, who has progressed through earlier rounds with solid performances.
Reflecting on Zverev’s previous appearances in Stuttgart, this marks his fourth at the ATP 250 event and his first participation in five years. Historically, the tournament has not been kind to him, with multiple early exits, including a difficult debut loss in 2014 and further struggles in 2019. His previous experiences highlight the challenges he encounters on grass, as he has yet to capture a title on this surface despite winning 24 titles in total.
Zverev has reached the finals in every Grand Slam tournament except for Wimbledon, where he has struggled to advance past the fourth round. After a challenging clay season, he is hopeful for a turnaround on grass this year.
This tournament presents not only an opportunity for Zverev to improve his grass-court performance but also a chance to regain confidence leading into Wimbledon. His determination and experience will be crucial as he navigates the upcoming matches.