Tennis

Alexander Zverev Withdraws from Stuttgart Open, Citing Physical FatigueWorld No. 4 Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from this week's BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany, due to physical fatigue following his grueling run to the French Open final.Zverev, the top seed and lone Top 10 player in the field, announced his withdrawal on Tuesday. "I've played a lot of tennis in the last few weeks and reached the final in Paris, where I played five tough sets," he said in a statement. "I feel that my body is not ready to go from clay to grass now."During his runner-up finish at Roland Garros, Zverev spent an astonishing 23 hours and 46 minutes on the court. His five-set loss to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz lasted four hours and 19 minutes, marking his second Grand Slam final defeat in a deciding set.Zverev's withdrawal from Stuttgart is a significant blow to the tournament, which is part of the ATP 250 series. Lucky loser Richard Gasquet has replaced him in the draw and will face American Brandon Nakashima in the second round.Zverev is now set to compete at the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle, Germany, next week. The ATP 500 event is expected to feature a star-studded field, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and defending champion Alexander Bublik.Zverev's decision to prioritize his physical recovery over immediate competition highlights the demanding nature of the tennis calendar. With the Wimbledon Championships just around the corner, players must carefully manage their schedules to avoid burnout and injury.

Elena Rybakina's remarkable 2024 season continues to soar as she secured her fifth final appearance of the year with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open on Saturday.Rybakina's triumph over Swiatek marked a significant milestone in her career. It was her tour-leading 25th win of the year, surpassing Swiatek's previous tally of 24. She also became the first woman since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 to reach five finals in the first four months of the year.Moreover, Rybakina made history by becoming the first player to defeat Swiatek in Stuttgart. The Polish star had previously held an unblemished 10-0 record at the event, winning the title in her only two previous appearances. Rybakina also became the first player to defeat Swiatek in a clay-court semifinal, breaking the Pole's 9-0 record on the surface.Rybakina's victory over Swiatek extended her impressive record against reigning world No. 1s to 5-4. Since the start of the 2023 season, she has defeated Swiatek three times, Aryna Sabalenka once, and Ashleigh Barty once.Rybakina's consistent success against the world's top players highlights her exceptional talent and determination. She has proven herself to be a formidable opponent, capable of challenging and defeating the best in the world.As Rybakina advances to the Stuttgart Open final, she will face either Petra Kvitova or Laura Siegemund. With her impressive form and unwavering confidence, Rybakina will be a strong contender for the title and will look to continue her remarkable run in 2024.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the clay courts in Stuttgart, Germany, overcoming a spirited challenge from Sachia Vickery in a thrilling three-set battle.Gauff, playing her first match since the Miami Open in March, initially dominated the proceedings, taking the first set 6-3. However, Vickery, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100, fought back valiantly in the second set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to level the match at 1-1.The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players trading breaks and holding serve. Vickery came within five points of pulling off a stunning upset, but Gauff displayed her resilience and determination, winning 12 of the final 14 points to secure a hard-fought 7-5 victory.Gauff's victory was particularly impressive considering Vickery's previous success against top-ranked opponents. In 2018, Vickery defeated then-world No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open.The win sets up a quarterfinal clash for Gauff against either No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen or Marta Kostyuk, whom she faced in the last eight of the 2024 Australian Open.Gauff's performance in Stuttgart is a testament to her adaptability and mental fortitude. Despite a long layoff, she was able to quickly find her rhythm on the clay and overcome a determined opponent. Her victory bodes well for her chances of success in the upcoming French Open, where she will be aiming to defend her US Open title.