ATP Stuttgart 🇩🇪 Day 2 Results
Jordan Thompson d Guido Pella 6-3 6-4
Despite the Aussie having a rough clay season, he is finding his feet on a more desirable surface; probably the opposite for Pella, struggling to win a set against Thompson, only serving at 50%, compared to Thompson's 77%. With serving being such a huge factor on grass, this result was not surprising.
Yannick Hanfmann d Jeremy Chardy 6-4 6-4
The German looked very promising in his first grass match for the year. A concern for Chardy, that I also share with Cilic, is that although they have been very good in previous years, their agility across the court is slowing, as both Chardy & Cilic are approaching their mid 30s.
Sam Querrey d Altug Celikbilek 6-4 6-1
Querrey still has his pocket rocket! The American winning 95% of his first serve. Insane! Also winning 75% of his second serves compared to 50% for the world no 239. His next match against Aussie James Duckworth could get interesting, with Duckworth finding form as of late.
Dominic Stephan Stricker d Radu Albot 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
In what was a very tight affair, it was the fresh 18yo to come out on top. Albot does not do very well against younger opponents, but only shows up in closer ranked matches. Albot is 31, approaching the tail end of his career, and is known for being very inconsistent. The Swiss faces second seed Hubert Hurkacz, which we know Hurkacz can be inconsistent and not show up sometimes too.
Peter Gojowczyk d Ilya Ivashka 5-7 6-4 6-2
Ivashka, the favourite, was lucky to win the first set, and both players were not playing to their potential, but it was the home countryman to come out on top, with some help of the home crowd.
James Duckworth d Adrian Mannarino (7) 6-3 6-2
Mannarino is becoming someone who is going down the drain, much like Paire, but without the attitude. Mannarino is 32yo, and is already slow on his feet, so introducing grass season, Mannarino's results are going to stay low. Duckworth recently defeated Ivashka a couple days ago, and is finding his feet well in Stuttgart.
Jurij Rodionov d Dominik Koepfer 2-6 6-3 6-2
A left-handed duel was the last match on centre court, and it was a showing. Rodionov never looked down n out. Koepfer, despite a recent Roland Garros run, was struggling to find form, due to his mentality. Though his mentality did not go too astray in this match, he definitely did look a bit off, allowing the Austrian world no 296 to come out on top.
Feliciano Lopez d Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-4
As previewed, Lopez, despite being 39 was just more experienced, and is truly a net masterpiece, winning 83% of his serves, many points coming from closing out the point at the net. Even though he is 39, Lopez's playing style is fit for an older player, with a great serve, a backhand that's a slice, and finishing points early by coming to the net. Not surprised the Spaniard got the better of the 21yo Aussie here.
