Taylor Fritz Reaches Stuttgart Open Semi-Finals After Comeback Win Over Bellucci

Taylor Fritz battled past Mattia Bellucci in another three-set contest to secure a Stuttgart Open semi-final spot, surviving 5-7 7-5 7-5 in just under two and a half hours. For the second straight day, Fritz lost the opening set yet still overturned the deficit to advance.

The second seed again needed a late push in the final set, finally breaking Bellucci in the last game. Fritz converted the second match point after both players had held firm on serve throughout a tense decider, keeping Fritz on course for another grass-court title this week.

Fritz’s clay campaign ended with a first-round loss at the French Open, yet the Stuttgart Open has offered a chance to reset on grass. The American is chasing a sixth grass-court trophy; among active players, only Novak Djokovic has more, with eight tournament wins on the surface.

During the quarter-final, Fritz generated early pressure and carved out five break points in the fourth game of the match. Bellucci resisted to hold for 2-2, then built on that momentum. The Italian later broke in the penultimate game of the opening set and required three set points to close it out.

As so often in Fritz’s matches, the serve was crucial under stress. Fritz struck 11 aces and landed 71% of first serves, numbers that helped rescue tight moments. However, Alexander Bublik, the next opponent, also produced 11 aces and an imposing 86% first-serve points won, taking 49 of 57.

The second set between Fritz and Bellucci remained close, with few chances either way. Fritz faced a key break point late on but held for 6-5, then broke to force a deciding set. Both players again traded holds in the third until Fritz finally broke through in the closing game.

Speaking courtside, Fritz reflected on the tight finishes and the demands of grass. "I was happy to get through another one like that, Fritz said in his on-court interview. It was a pretty tough match, and I am really being tested in the first two matches here. I am super happy to get through. One of the most important parts of playing on grass is winning those big points and getting through those close matches, as there will be a lot of them on grass."

Fritz now meets third seed Alexander Bublik for a place in the Stuttgart Open final. Bublik defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3), in a match dominated by serving. Neither player faced a single break point, underlining how difficult returning could be in the upcoming semi-final.

Jiri Lehecka completed another Stuttgart Open semi-final spot by beating Frances Tiafoe 6-4 7-6 (7-4). Lehecka must wait until Saturday to learn the next opponent because Ben Shelton’s clash with Sho Shimabukuro was halted for darkness, with the Japanese qualifier ahead 6-4 after the opening set.

Shelton had already played earlier on Friday, defeating Marcos Giron 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) to secure a quarter-final berth after weather delays on Thursday. With Fritz gathering confidence despite slow starts and several close scorelines across the draw, the Stuttgart Open reaches its final weekend with strong serving as a central theme.