The Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships saw an exciting turn of events as Alex Michelsen, the #NextGenATP American, made a stunning comeback after losing his second spot in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah. Michelsen, who is currently vying for his second consecutive appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, showed his determination and skill as he upset fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling match on Thursday.
Making his debut at the ATP 500 in Tokyo, Michelsen proved his mettle by defeating Tsitsipas 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a one-hour, 48-minute match. With this win, Michelsen rose back above Chengdu champion Shang Juncheng to reclaim his second spot in the Live Race. This victory also marks his second Top 20 win on hard courts, after defeating Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos earlier this year.
According to Infosys ATP Stats, Michelsen converted all five break points he earned against Tsitsipas, who seemed to struggle with the hot and humid conditions in Tokyo. Despite taking the opening set, the Greek could not maintain his momentum and was unable to build on his lead in their first-ever Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.
Michelsen’s next opponent in Tokyo will be fellow qualifier Christopher O’Connell, who defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 7-5(5). This will be another exciting match to watch as both players have shown great form and determination in their previous matches.
Tsitsipas’ defeat was a setback for his hopes of reaching the Nitto ATP Finals for the sixth consecutive year. The 26-year-old currently sits at 12th place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 570 points behind eighth-placed Alex de Minaur, who currently holds the last qualification spot for the prestigious season finale.
Thursday also saw some impressive performances from other players, including a pair of leftys, Yoshihito Nishioka and Jack Draper. Nishioka, the Japanese star, saved two match points before defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(5). This was a much-needed win for Nishioka, who snapped a four-match losing streak in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Auger-Aliassime. He will now face sixth seed Holger Rune in the second round, who also had a tough match against Alejandro Tabilo, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
Meanwhile, US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper had a more comfortable opening victory, defeating qualifier Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-2. The Briton will now face second seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round, which promises to be an exciting match between two talented players.
The Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships has been full of surprises and upsets, making it a must-watch event for tennis fans. With the top players showcasing their skills and determination, it is a testament to the high level of competition in the ATP Tour.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Michelsen as he continues his journey towards the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. His impressive performance against Tsitsipas has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with and is capable of taking on the best in the game.
In conclusion, the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships has been a thrilling event so far, with players giving their all on the court. With more exciting matches to come, it is a testament to the talent and determination of the players on the ATP Tour. Let’s continue to support and cheer for our favorite players as they battle it out for the title in Tokyo.
