German Teen Justin Engel Wins First Professional Grass Court Match Over Duckworth

German teen Justin Engel won his first professional match on grass at the Stuttgart Open, beating Australian James Duckworth 4-6 6-4 7-6(5). Engel, ranked 281 in the world, has mostly played on clay and hardcourts. He fired 32 winners past Duckworth and was relieved after the match. American 19-year-old Learner Tien also advanced, while Frenchmen Arthur Rinderknech, Corentin Moutet, and Quentin Halys won their respective matches. Top seeds Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Felix Auger-Aliassime received direct entries into the second round.

Stuttgart, Germany - German teen Justin Engel has made history at the Stuttgart Open, winning his first professional match on grass. Engel, ranked 281 in the world, overcame Australian James Duckworth, who sits 187 places above him in the rankings, with a hard-fought 4-6 6-4 7-6(5) victory. The 17-year-old's triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, as he has primarily played on clay and hardcourts.

Engel, who had only played five matches on the ATP Tour, faced a challenging opponent in Duckworth. Despite the Australian's superior ranking, Engel's tenacity and 32 winners proved decisive. The match was a testament to Engel's resilience, as he overcame a break down and even needed treatment for dizziness before ultimately securing the win.

The victory was not Engel's only success story at the tournament. American 19-year-old Learner Tien also advanced to the second round after his opponent Yoshihito Nishioka retired. Meanwhile, Frenchmen Arthur Rinderknech, Corentin Moutet, and Quentin Halys all won their respective matches, showcasing their prowess on grass.

Top seeds Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Felix Auger-Aliassime received direct entries into the second round, reflecting their strong performances in recent tournaments. The Stuttgart Open, an ATP 250 event, offers a significant prize pool of €751,630, with the winner receiving €114,335 and 250 points [3].

Engel's victory is a notable achievement, especially considering the challenging nature of grass-court tennis. His success at the Stuttgart Open could pave the way for a promising career on the ATP Tour.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/engel-claims-upset-win-first-professional-match-grass-stuttgart-2025-06-10/
[2] https://www.thestatszone.com/benjamin-bonzi-vs-jiri-lehecka-preview-prediction-2025-stuttgart-open-boss-open-first-round-128175
[3] https://www.atptour.com/en/news/stuttgart-2025-atp-250-history-draw-schedule