Seventeen-year-old German player Justin Engel, who came back from one set down to beat James Duckwortth 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) after 2 hours and 30 minutes at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart.
Duckworth earned an early break in the first game of the first set to win the first set 6-4. Engel forced a decider with a break in the 10th game of the second set.
Engel dropped his serve in the first game of the third set and trailed 2-3 in the third set when he was treated by the tournament doctor for dizziness. Engel broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4 forcing the match to the third set. Engel sealed the win when Duckworth hit a return into the net on the match point.
Engel hit 32 winners to Duckworth’s 24.
Engel speaks four languages and coached by former world number 20 player Phillip Kohlchreiber. The German teenager becomes the fourth youngest match winner in Stuttgart tournament history after Fabrice Santoro, Rafael Nadal and Rudolf Molleker.
“I’m really proud of myself. It was my first grass match here. I know it was tough, this match, and I’m pretty happy with this result. I can’t wait to play the next round”, said Engel.
Engel will face Alex Michelsen, who edged past Gael Monfils 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the match that ended the second day.
Michelsen hit 32 winners to 22 unforced errors. Monfils hit 14 aces and converted two of his three break points.
Michelsen earned his first break in the tenth game to win the opening set 6-4. The US player went up a break in the second game of the second set to take a 2-0 lead. Monfils broke straight back in the third game and held serve to draw level to 2-2. The Frenchman broke for the second time in the ninth game to seal the second set 6-4. Michelsen earned the decisive break in in the sixth game and held serve after saving a break point in the seventh game to take a 5-2 lead. Michelsen sealed the win on his second match point.
