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Michelsen’s free-swinging plan towards Sinner: ‘I’ve acquired nothing to lose’
American teen seems forward to first match towards the World No. 1
August 14, 2024
Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour
Alex Michelsen defeats Tallon Griekspoor in three units on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
By Andrew Eichenholz
At 5 a.m. in California on the day of the Australian Open ultimate, Alex Michelsen was awake due to jet lag following his personal journey to Australia — he made the third spherical on the 12 months’s first main.
The #NextGenATP American was capable of catch the tip of the memorable conflict between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, through which Sinner rallied from two units down to assert his first main trophy.
“The extent he acquired within the fifth set of his first Grand Slam ultimate, that was fairly epic,” Michelsen informed ATPTour.com.
After defeating Tallon Griekspoor in three units Tuesday, the 19-year-old Michelsen will play Sinner for the primary time within the second spherical of the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be loads of enjoyable. I’ve acquired nothing to lose,” Michelsen mentioned. “I’m going to go on the market and take a look at my greatest to swing free and have enjoyable, and we’ll see what occurs.”
The American has by no means practised along with his Italian counterpart. “Perhaps that’ll assist me a little bit bit. [He] has by no means seen my ball,” he mentioned. “I am positive I do know much more about him than he does about me. So I believe possibly that’ll assist me as effectively.”
The primary time Michelsen heard of Sinner was through the 2019 Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF. The Italian, the lowest-ranked participant within the discipline, lifted the trophy in Milan.
“He received Subsequent Gen and I used to be like, ‘Oh, this man hits absolutely the crap out of all’,” Michelsen mentioned. “I used to be like, ‘Okay,’. I am positive he’ll do the identical factor towards me, simply hit the crap out of it.”
The No. 57 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings is simply two spots off his career-high mark. He has performed two matches towards High 10 opponents, going 1-1, together with a win towards then-World No. 9 Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos.
However the American additionally is aware of he’ll face a tough check towards Sinner. Michelsen watches loads of tennis on tv and is aware of how effectively the Italian has carried out this season, particularly in comparison with early in his profession.
“I do not suppose his recreation has modified that a lot. I believe he is gotten loads stronger and loads sooner and loads fitter,” Michelsen mentioned. “However for me, I do not suppose his recreation has modified that a lot. I believe he is modified some issues. His serve acquired higher, and possibly his forehand acquired a little bit higher, however the way in which he performs stayed the identical.”
The house favorite’s conflict with the highest seed will happen on centre court docket. It is a chance Michelsen is wanting ahead to.
“I find it irresistible. I am actually glad both manner,” Michelsen mentioned. “You may put me Courtroom 25 within the trenches, I am glad. You set me on centre court docket, I am even happier. So it will be enjoyable. Hopefully they will root for me as a result of I am American.”
The teenager defined that as a result of that is the primary High 5 opponent Michelsen is going through, it stands out as the most important match he has performed to this point early in his profession.
“I performed Zverev on Rod Laver when he was sixth on the planet, and I am enjoying the World No. 1,” Michelsen mentioned. “I’ve by no means performed anybody High 5, so it will be a brand new expertise, that is for positive.”
The energetic Californian has loved the help he has acquired all through the North-American summer time. When he broke by means of final season, “nobody actually knew who I used to be”. Michelsen is “actually glad” that the followers have responded effectively to him in 2024.
The teenager is glad to be making his debut in Cincinnati and is particularly happy that the occasion is staged in Mason. He prefers staying away from large cities.
The person he faces on Wednesday, Sinner, is a fellow Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF alumnus. In second place within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah, Michelsen is making an attempt to qualify for the second 12 months in a row. Two former champions (Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz) are within the High 3 of the PIF ATP Rankings at present.
“Each these guys received [the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF]. It is very motivating. If I might win the event, put my title up with theirs, that might be nice. However that is not straightforward to do, profitable a event is rarely straightforward,” Michelsen mentioned. “So we’ll see, however I believe simply being part of the Subsequent Gen programme is admittedly good for my confidence too.”
Regardless of the results of Michelsen’s showdown with Sinner, there isn’t any doubt about the kind of effort the American will give.
“I’m going to go on the market and I’ll compete my a** off each alternative I get,” Michelsen mentioned. “I’m by no means going to surrender, and I pleasure myself on competing.”
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