A few quarter-final picks from Stuttgart today, and honestly, this is one of those days where the upsets might just outnumber the expected results. Grass does funny things to rankings, and the Boss Open has a history of producing surprises. Let's get into it.
Boss Open Predictions
Mattia Bellucci vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fritz has been one of the more consistent players on tour this season, but grass has never been where he looks most at home and Bellucci is quietly one of the better grass-court movers on tour right now. The Italian's flat ball and quick net game suit this surface well, and Fritz's tendency to struggle with low skidding balls could be a real problem against someone who hits through the court as cleanly as Bellucci does.
First meeting, indoor grass, and a confident Italian who has nothing to lose. I think this goes Bellucci's way.
Prediction: Bellucci in 2
Ben Shelton vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Shelton 2-1 Giron
Shelton's serve is a weapon on any surface, but grass beyond that first shot has never quite clicked for him, and Giron's all-court consistency is actually a better fit for quick Stuttgart grass than people give him credit for. Shelton leads the H2H 2-1 but all three of those matches were on hard courts, so that record doesn't tell us much here. That said, Giron has been sharp this week and Shelton has looked beatable in stretches.
Prediction: Giron in 2
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Perricard 2-1 Bublik
Perricard leads the H2H and that serve is genuinely terrifying on a fast indoor surface, so don't sleep on him here. But Bublik on grass is a different animal entirely, and the way he mixes up his game with slices, net rushes and underarm serves actually causes more problems for big servers than a conventional baseliner would. Perricard can absolutely steal a set with the way he's serving right now, and this one feels like it goes the distance.
Bublik's experience in these situations tips it for me, all things considered.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire