Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff moved to within one win of capturing his first tour-level title on Saturday when he defeated fourth seed Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart.
Competing on home soil at the ATP 250 grass-court event, Struff produced his aggressive brand of tennis to overpower Hurkacz. The 33-year-old clubbed 35 winners and was sharp when moving forward, winning 85 per cent (17/20) of net points to advance after one hour and 29 minutes.
"I am very happy," Struff said. "Hubi won Halle last year. He is an incredible grass-court player, so I knew I had to play a very good match. After starting off well I found a way and I am very happy with the win.
"The atmosphere was crazy again. It means a lot to reach my third final and second in Germany. My first in Germany was during covid and without crowd in Munich, so I am very happy my family were here [today]."
Struff is enjoying a red-hot season, having advanced to the quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo and the final in Madrid as a lucky loser. The German has transformed his clay-court form onto the German lawns this week, dropping just one set en route to his third tour-level final.
Arriving in Stuttgart at a career-high No. 24, Struff is now up three spots to No. 21 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings following his run. He will crack the Top 20 on Monday if he beats Frances Tiafoe in the title match.
Earlier, Tiafoe advanced to his seventh tour-level final and first on grass when he battled past Hungarian qualifier Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 7-6(11).
The American, who did not face a break point in the match, saved six set points in an epic second-set tie-break to book his spot in the championship match after one hour and 37 minutes.
"I have played some solid tennis. It is one of my favourites surfaces. It is good to get out here and get some matches," Tiafoe said.
The third seed Tiafoe is chasing his third tour-level title and second of the season this week, having triumphed on clay in Houston in April.
Tiafoe is making his debut in Stuttgart, with his best result on grass prior to this week runs to the quarter-finals at The Queen's Club in 2018 and 2021. The 25-year-old is up one place to No. 11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings and will break the Top 10 for the first time if he wins the trophy in Germany.
Fucsovics, who was aiming to reach his fourth tour-level final, is up 20 spots to No. 66 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
Attack vs Attack ⚔️
— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) June 17, 2023
The final is set @boss__open @Struffitennis vs @FTiafoe
On their way to the final, neither player has played less shot #InAttack than their opponent ⚠️
🎾Will #InAttack decide the final?
🎾Who takes the 🏆?#TennisInsights | @atptour pic.twitter.com/MZ50U0w9R6
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