Michelsen Powers To Finish line In Winston-Salem

Fast-rising American Alex Michelsen claimed his first pro hard-court win after powering through the third set to defeat Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-0 on the opening day of the Winston-Salem Open on Sunday night.

After dropping the second set in a tie-break, Michelsen was untouchable in the third, dropping just two points on serve and converting three of the four break point opportunities he earned. For the match, the 18-year-old fired seven aces and won 83 per cent of points on his first serve.

“I just locked in and didn’t miss too many balls towards the end,” Michelsen said. “It was one of the best sets I have played in a while. I was feeling a little tired after the second set but after I broke I found some energy and it was all good.

“I’ve seen him play before and he made the fourth round of the French, so he’s very good and competes really well. When I was up a set and a break in the second I knew it wasn’t over.”

Michelsen, who reached the final in Newport on grass in the week after Wimbledon, is making his first appearance since a first-round loss to Maxime Cressy at the Atlanta Open.

With Sunday’s win Michelsen climbed five places to No. 133 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He next faces 15th seed, Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

Michelsen’s fellow California native Brandon Nakashima also earned an opening-round victory Sunday when he moved past Jason Kubler 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(3). The 22-year-old won 54 per cent of points behind his second serve, compared to his opponent’s 42 per cent, to end his three-match skid.

The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Nakashima will next meet seventh seed Arthur Fils. The Frenchman defeated Nakashima earlier this year in Lyon, where Fils went on to capture his maiden tour-level title.