Down goes Alexander Zverev, other Stuttgart Open surprises

Rising ATP tennis star Alexander Zverev splashes out of the 2019 Stuttgart Open. Here’s a closer look at all of the men’s singles action.

Alexander Zverev has been ousted from the 2019 Stuttgart Open. He was the top seed and favorite this year at the tournament. Following a quarterfinals run at the recent French Open, Zverev seemed poised to breakout in Stuttgart.

In his way, however, was fellow countryman and veteran tennis player Dustin Brown. The 34-year-old German won three qualifying matches in order to setup a meeting with Zverev.

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It is Brown who outlasts the top seed, winning 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-3. This one is a bit of a shocker. Although Brown is notable for being one of very few players to remain undefeated against Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, he was a massive underdog against Zverev.

Brown is 2-0 against Nadal all-time. That might have put him into the spotlight, but he has remained around the sport as a steady veteran for years now. He is yet to win an ATP singles title, but the Stuttgart Open could be his for the taking.

Up next for Brown is young phenom Felix Auger Aliassime. The 18-year-old Canadian is coming off of a win over Gilles Simon in the round of 16. Auger Aliassime is the tournament’s seventh seed in men’s singles. Although he might be the slight odds on favorite against Brown, the veteran has experience that his young challenger does not. This will be an interesting one to watch.

Elsewhere at the Stuttgart Open, second seed Karen Khachanov also splashes out early. He and Zverev see surprising exits this week as Khachanov falls to Matteo Berrettini of Italy. Berrettini advances to setup a match against American Denis Kudla. The Italian also knocked out Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios during his opener.

With the two top seeds out of the 2019 Stuttgart Open, the tournament is anyone’s for the taking. Also falling is French tennis star Gael Monfils who drop his match with Kudla. As for Alexander Zverev, stay tuned to see how he rebounds from the upset.