Engel Youngest Player of the 21st Century to Reach Grass-Court Tournament Quarterfinals
17-year-old German player Justin Engel, invited by the tournament organizers, continues his journey to the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Stuttgart. After his victory over James Duckworth (4-6, 6-4, 7-6), the Nuremberg native confirmed his form by defeating Alex Michelsen (6-4, 6-4), the world No. 35 who had previously eliminated Gaël Monfils.
This win marks his first career ATP quarterfinal and his first victory over a top-50 player. Ranked No. 281 in the world, the 17-year-old and 8-month-old also becomes the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals of a grass-court tournament in the 21st century.
Before him, Ryan Harrison held the record as the youngest player since 2000 to achieve this feat at 18 years and 2 months (Newport 2010). Stefan Kozlov at 18 years and 4 months (s-Hertogenbosch 2016) and Bernard Tomic at 18 years and 8 months (Wimbledon 2011) were also the youngest players to reach the Final 8 of a grass-court tournament in the past 25 years.
Engel will now attempt to become the first player on this list to go even further and reach the semifinals. To do so, he will have to overcome either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Félix Auger-Aliassime.
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