Kazakhstani tennis player Alexander Bublik (11) failed to overcome American Taylor Fritz (9) in the semifinal of the ATP-250 tournament in Stuttgart. The partner of Elena Rybakina in two winning Eisenhower Cups won in two sets – 6:4, 6:4. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The start of the match was ideal for Bublik. In the very first game, Alexander made a break. He began serving without giving Taylor any chance. However, at 4:3 and 30:0, the Kazakhstani seemed to be replaced. Giving Fritz five games in a row, our tennis player lost the first set and the opening game of the second.
The reigning Stuttgart champion, having started the match poorly, got into the game, while Bublik, on the contrary, lost his first serve. Without this trump card, it is very difficult to claim victory on grass. Turning on his willpower and amusing the audience with two consecutive underhand serves, Alexander tried to fully return to the game. But the American was unstoppable – 6:4, 6:4 in just 1 hour and 8 minutes.
The previous evening, Bublik was supposed to play in the doubles quarterfinal but decided to withdraw.
In the final, Fritz will face either his compatriot Ben Shelton (5), seeded first in Stuttgart, or Czech Jiri Lehecka (12). In last year's final, the American defeated the future Roland Garros 2026 champion Alexander Zverev (3) from Germany – 6:3, 7:6 (7:0).
The Stuttgart Open, now called the Boss Open, has a history dating back to 1916. Its winners include Henri Leconte, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Gustavo Kuerten, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and other stars.
The prize fund of the WTA-250 tournament in Stuttgart is €750,320.
The series of grass-court tournaments precedes the third Grand Slam of the calendar year. Wimbledon 2026 will take place from June 29 to July 12.