Alexander Zverev moved to within one victory of capturing his maiden grass-court title after beating Ben Shelton to reach the Stuttgart Open final. 

In a rematch of their recent Munich showpiece, which Zverev won, the German repeated the trick with a 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-1) victory in just over two hours. 

A closely fought first set saw Zverev miss two break points against the American, before he clinched a tight tie-break on his fifth set point with a service winner.

Zverev had a slight wobble by missing the first three set points after leading 6-3 in the tie-break, and then had to save one at 7-6 down after conceding four points in a row.

Two more break points for the top seed came and went early in the second set, and another two - then match points - at 5-4.

But Zverev then breezed through the second tie-break and wrapped up matters with his 15th ace on his fourth match point, to go along with his 35 winners.

"I am happy to be in the final. I will do everything to win tomorrow," Zverev told broadcasters DF1 as he bids for the 25th title of his career.

"It was a good match. I had break points, but not really because he fired an ace and winners. He is probably the best server in the world."

And the final is set...

Zverev overcomes Shelton 7-6(8) 7-6(1) to set up a spectacular showdown with Fritz @boss__open | #BOSSOPEN pic.twitter.com/aKyZcp3O91

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 14, 2025

Earlier in the day, second seed Taylor Fritz booked his place in Sunday's final with a win over Felix Auger-Aliassime to put his clay-court struggles behind him. 

Fritz had dropped to number seven in the rankings after going 3-4 on clay, but responded with a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory over his Canadian opponent. 

The American has not dropped a set en route to the final, and was confident of overcoming Zverev in the final as his preparations for Wimbledon continue. 

"The clay-court season wasn't the best for me, so I came here more motivated to start the grass season off well," said Fritz.

"I'm locked in and ready to go. Once I start winning a couple of matches on grass and start feeling good, all the other things start clicking for me."

Data Debrief: Zverev to face nemesis Fritz in Stuttgart

Zverev's victory saw him reach his first Tour-level final on grass since 2017 after his win over Shelton, but he faces a tough test against Fritz on Sunday. 

Indeed, Fritz has won the last four matches against Zverev to lead their meetings 7-5, including at last year's Wimbledon, US Open and ATP Finals.

A three-time champion in Eastbourne (2019, 2022, 2024), Fritz is no stranger to success on the grass and will be keen to continue that against Zverev.