For this college tennis player from Georgia, an amazing week so far in Newport
NEWPORT — Should he decide to attend college this fall, Alex Michelsen will have quite a summer vacation story to tell in his Georgia dorm room.
The 18-year-old continues to make waves this week at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open. Michelsen upset defending champion Maxime Cressy in his opening match and captured another three-setter on Wednesday, rallying past James Duckworth, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Michelsen has picked up passport stamps from Great Britain, France and Spain since the beginning of June. He’s also managed some domestic travel as well, winning last week’s ATP Challenger event in Chicago. An eventual trip home to California and a discussion involving his parents and coaches will determine whether or not he follows through on a commitment to the Bulldogs this fall.
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“If you told me a year ago I’d be winning Tour-level matches, I would have called you crazy,” Michelsen said. “I didn’t think this would happen. But the hard work and dedication — all those Friday and Saturday nights at the gym — is really paying off for me.”
Michelsen seems to be at the outset of what could be something special. He was the top-ranked American player in his recruiting class and a boys doubles champion at Wimbledon in 2022 with partner Sebastian Gorzny. Michelsen downed former top-10 player Jack Sock at the Cleveland Challenger event in January before staging his breakout — a finals berth at a Georgia Challenger event in February and a semifinal finish in a Texas Challenger event in March.
“I’ve been doing OK the last four or five months,” Michelsen said. “And then the last two weeks have been very, very good for me.”
Michelsen is at No. 190 in the ATP Tour rankings — high enough to avoid qualifying or requesting a wildcard to enter this event. The 6-foot-4-inch right-hander is up more than 200 spots from the start of 2023 and in position to contend against more experienced players. Duckworth is a 31-year-old who entered with more than 140 Tour-level matches under his belt.
“I wasn’t serving too well, and he was playing really well,” Michelsen said. “Then I was down break points to start the second set — wasn't doing too good. Then I played a real good return game at 3-all and took off from there.
“I didn’t really miss any more shots. I made him play every ball.”
The current men’s tennis landscape at the highest level is no friend to teenagers. Arthur Fils is one of only two professionals under age 20 inside the top 145, checking in at No. 68. Current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, No. 6 Holger Rune and No. 39 Ben Shelton are all 20 — the only players that age inside the top 105.
Tommy Paul knows how it feels attempting to climb the ladder. The top seed in this week’s field skipped college and has spent the last eight years grinding to his current ranking at No. 14 — that's a career best for the New Jersey native. Paul cruised past Ethan Quinn, 6-4, 6-2, in his debut match here and joined Michelsen in the quarterfinals.
“I would say probably turn pro,” Paul said. “At this point, it’s probably time. I think he’s earned it.
“If he keeps doing what he’s doing, I don’t think he needs my advice right now. He’s winning a lot of matches. I hope he continues that.”
Michelsen is lined up to face No. 4 seed Mackenzie McDonald for a spot in Saturday’s semifinals. He had the option of spending Wednesday evening continuing to explore the city’s famous waterfront. This latest deep tournament run extended what has been a surprisingly pleasant trip.
“This is a really cool town,” Michelsen said. “I’ve walked around — it's really cool. The Tennis Hall of Fame here, obviously — a lot of history.
“I’m really enjoying it.”
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Alex Michelsen is having an amazing week at the Infosys Hall of Fame Open
