Taylor Fritz is set to face Corentin Moutet on Tuesday in the first round of the Queen’s Club Championships, held at the Andy Murray Arena, as part of his ongoing bid for victory in this grass-court tournament. The American player arrives with strong momentum, seeking to maintain his recent winning streak, while Moutet is looking to cause an upset.
Corentin Moutet’s Challenging Journey to the Main Draw
Corentin Moutet has earned his spot in the main draw through hard-fought battles in West Kensington. The French left-hander impressed by winning back-to-back three-set matches, first defeating Mattia Bellucci after nearly three hours on court and then overcoming Arthur Rinderknech in a similarly long contest. These victories mark his first appearance in a Queen’s Club main draw, where he looks to record his 11th main draw win over Fritz and an 18th victory overall this season.
Despite his determination, Moutet enters the event with a modest grass-court record of 8 wins and 10 losses, aiming to secure only his ninth grass-court main-draw win here. His recent form includes a loss to Alexander Zverev last week in Stuttgart, which he hopes to improve on against the player who defeated Zverev in that tournament.
Taylor Fritz Riding a Wave of Success on Grass
Taylor Fritz, currently ranked world No. 4 and the highest-seeded American, is building on an encouraging start to the grass season. After a disappointing run on clay that ended with a first-round loss to Daniel Altmaier in Paris, Fritz has gained confidence with a four-match winning streak coming into Queen’s Club. This performance has helped him shake off his recent struggles and aims to extend his streak by securing a fifth consecutive win.
Fritz’s victory over Alexander Zverev in Stuttgart improved his season record to 21-10, underscoring his position as a nine-time ATP titleholder and favorite to earn his 22nd win of 2023. The 27-year-old reached the quarter-finals at Queen’s last year, his best showing in London so far, and looks to match or surpass that achievement this season. Should Fritz triumph over Moutet, he will face British wildcard Jacob Fearnley in the next round.
First-Time Meeting Sets Up Early-Round Excitement
The upcoming match will be the first ATP-level encounter between Moutet and Fritz, with the winner securing an early lead in their head-to-head record. Fritz’s superior form is reflected in his 21-10 win-loss record for the season, compared to Moutet’s 10-11 record in ATP main draws, positioning Fritz as the clear favorite despite Moutet’s unpredictable playing style.
Expectations for a Straight Sets Victory
Given Fritz’s current form and experience, predictions favor him to close out the match in straight sets. His goal is to continue his successful run on grass and advance confidently into the second round, strengthening his prospects in the Queen’s Club Championships.