Frances Tiafoe defeats Jan-Lennard Struff to win the Boss Open
By Lee Vowell
Frances Tiafoe and Jan-Lennard Struff produced an instant classic in the finale of the Boss Open in Stuttgart, Germany. Both players displayed high-level tennis and the match was back and forth throughout. In the end, however, Frances Tiafoe won 4-6 7-6 7-6(10-8)
Struff’s serve was dominant as he finished with 28 aces. So much of winning a grass court tournament, where the ball quickly slides towards an opponent, is not only landing your first serve but doing so with precise precision. But Tiafoe’s athleticism, especially on the last point of the match, pushed Tiafoe through.
The last point of the match must be pointed out, though. Tiafoe had a minibreak after capturing Struff’s last serve so Tiafoe just needed to hold the next point for victory. He ran Struff from side to side on the final point with Struff returning on pace. After Struff lobbed a return back, Tiafoe tried to smash the ball deep on the court, and still Struff was able to return the ball, but Tiafoe got a racket on hit and pushed it over for the winner.
Frances Tiafoe will move into the ATP top 10 after winning the Boss Open
Tiafoe won 83 percent of his first serves, while Struff won 79 percent. Struff was never broken in the match, and Frances Tiafoe only one. This was a pure grass match with powerful serves winning games, but that doesn’t make the overall play any worse. Heck, literally every match ever could be played as well and on point, and would make for must-watch TV.
Struff is 33 years old and has never won an ATP title before. His time might be running out, but if he plays at Wimbledon as well as he did at the Boss Open, he can’t be discounted for a long run at the next major. He won’t be a favorite at Wimbledon, of course, but he could be a threat to anyone.
Cinch Championships: Preview and what you need to know. dark. Next
Frances Tiafoe with the win at the Boss Open will now move into the ATP top 10 for the first time in his career. He is only 25 years old and could have a long run near the top of the rankings as each year he seems to play better. Like Struff, he won’t be expected to win Wimbledon, but he has as good of a chance at the tournament as anyone not named Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic.