Japan Open: Machac ends Michelsen’s run to reach first ATP 500 semi-final

Tomas Machac moved into the semi-finals of the Japan Open by beating American qualifier Alex Michelsen 7-6 (2), 6-3 at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Sunday.

This is the first semi-final for Machac at an ATP 500 event. This was his fourth ATP quarter-final of the season and the second time he has reached the semis (also reached in Geneva and lost in quarters in Miami and Marseille).

The Czech, ranked No 34 and winner of the Olympics mixed doubles gold medal, will face the winner of the match between Frenchman Ugo Humbert and Jack Draper for a spot in the final.

Earlier in the tournament, Machac edged out Australian Alexei Popyrin (6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5) and American Tommy Paul, the No 5 seed (2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4)). He has now won 14 of his last 15 matches on the tour against American across levels since the 2023 Miami Masters.

Michelsen, ranked No 49, won against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No 4 seed (4-6, 6-1, 6-2) and Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell (6-1, 6-4) earlier in the week.

Tokyo ATP 500, other quarter-final results (Ariake Colosseum, hard, USD 1,818,380):

• Arthur Fils vs. Ben Shelton
• Kei Nishikori vs. Holger Rune
• Ugo Humbert vs. Jack Draper

You might also like this

Sinner on WADA appealing his drugs exoneration to CAS: “I have nothing to hide”

tennis majors

Alcaraz could play Nadal in Six Kings Slam exhibition

tennis majors

US Open: Machac breezes past Goffin to reach last 16

tennis majors