Taylor Fritz is one win away from successfully defending his Stuttgart Open title after he overcame Alexander Bublik in straight sets.

Fritz, who needed to go the distance in his previous two matches in Germany, made light work of Bublik in Saturday's semi-final.

The American triumphed 6-4 6-4 in just over an hour to set up a clash with either Jiri Lehecka or compatriot Ben Shelton.

Fritz did not have it all his own way, as the world number nine had to recover from conceding serve in the very first game.

Yet Fritz came up trumps when it mattered in the first set, breaking back to drag level at 4-4, and then doing so again to nudge himself into the lead in the tie.

There was nothing to separate the duo in the second set until the last game, when Fritz grabbed the crucial break and, in the process, sealed victory.

Fired-up Fritz snaps 30-year Stuttgart streak

Fritz has won one title this year, triumphing on home soil in Dallas, but he has not made another final.

However, he now has a shot at glory, and in the process, has snapped a long run of the defending Stuttgart Open champion falling short.

Fritz has become the first reigning champion to reach the Stuttgart final since Thomas Muster won back-to-back titles in 1995 and 1996.