Alex Michelsen Impresses in DC Debut

31 July 2024 By Ben Raby
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From Andy Roddick (2001) to Juan Martin del Potro (2008) to Jannik Sinner (2021), the Mubadala Citi DC Open has a history of crowing teenage champions on their way to greatness.

Could American Alex Michelsen be next?

The #NextGenATP star has a long way to go this week, but Michelsen made a strong early impression Wednesday, beating the heat and Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci 6-3, 7-6(1) in his DC debut.

Michelsen, 19, is fresh off reaching his second career ATP final in Newport and recently began working with coach Robby Ginepri. The California native arrived in Washington as the World No.60. Michelsen is the youngest of three teenagers ranked inside the Top-100 and he is the youngest American ranked inside the Top-200.

Seeded 15th in Washington, Michelsen received a first-round bye before holding off Bellucci on Stadium Court.

Michelsen will next face Korean qualifier Seongchan Hong, who pulled off the upset of the tournament to date, dispatching third-seeded Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-4 in just 70 minutes on John Harris Court.

Hong, 27, arrived in Washington having never won a Tour-level match outside of Davis Cup play. The World No.175 has now won twice in Rock Creek Park, including his first career triumph against a Top-50 opponent.

Elsewhere, eighth-seeded wild card Alejandro Davidovich Fokina rallied to beat American qualifier Mitchell Krueger 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 to reach the third round. Davidovich Fokina will next face No.10 Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli beat David Goffin 7-6(4), 6-3.

Fresh off his surprising run into the second week at Wimbledon, the hard-serving Frenchman Giovani Mpetshi Perricard came as advertised in his Washington debut. The 21-year-old fired 25 aces and won 81% of his first-serve points as he outlasted Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(6), 7-6(6).

Mpetshi Perricard will next face American wild card Reilly Opelka or No.7 Jordan Thompson.

Thanasi Kokkinakis held off No.14 Aleksander Vikuc 6-4, 7-6(6) in an-all Aussie battle on Grandstand.

Kokkinakis, who has not been broken across two matches this week, is competing for the first time since having to retire from his second-round Wimbledon match with a knee injury. His win Wednesday secured a Round-of-16 match against No.4 Sebastian Korda.

American Aleksander Kovacevic held off No.11 Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(4), 7-6(3), booking a third-round date with hometown favorite Frances Tiafoe.