Fritz Notches Career Win 350 in Stuttgart

Taylor Fritz didn’t have much of a clay court season, but he’s up and running on the grass. 

The Southern Cal native, who lost his only match on the clay this spring, edged out 20-year-old Martin Landaluce in three sets in Stuttgart to achieve his 350th career victory on the ATP Tour. 

“#50 is cool, I’d like to get to 500, that’s a good goal,” Fritz said after his 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(3) win. “But I’m just trying to stay healthy and play some good tennis.” 

Fritz became the only active American to earn 350 wins as he notched his first win since Miami. The No.2 seed, who is the defending champion on the grass in Stuttgart, will face Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second round. 

“I think sometimes you just have to play yourself into the tournament,” Fritz said. “I felt like as the match went on I started playing better and better so that gives me a lot of confidence going into the next match.” 

Fourth-seeded Jiri Lehecka (d. Duckworth 6-7(8), 6-4, 7-6(3)) and sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe (d. Hijikata 6-4, 6-4) were also winners on Thursday in Stuttgart. Nick Kyrgios was knocked off by Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. 

Tiafoe, the 2023 champion in Stuttgart, reached his 50th career ATP quarterfinal. 

Kyrgios, 31, earned his first win in 15 months in his first round win over Corentin Moutet.