Taylor Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets during a rain-affected final in Stuttgart on Sunday, securing his first ATP title of the year. The American coasted to a 6-3, 7-6 7/0 win, undeterred by a prolonged rain interruption early in the second set.
Fritz has now won his last five encounters against Zverev and is poised to rise to fourth in the world rankings, just behind the German.
The runner-up from last year's US Open claimed his first title since his victory in Eastbourne a year ago, also on grass.
Top seed Zverev is still pursuing his first grass-court title and has never advanced past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, which begins on June 30.
Fritz took a one-set advantage thanks to a break in the eighth game.