Tien storms back for win over Michelsen to reach final at Next Gen Finals
The 19-year-old left-hander will play either Luca van Assche or Joao Fonseca in the final
@ Tennis TV
Learner Tien won eight off the last nine games as he roared back to beat fellow American Alex Michelsen 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1 in Jeddah on Saturday to reach the final of the Next Gen Finals.
The 19-year-old was dominated early on by big serving from world No 41 and this week’s No 2 seed Michelsen, one of his best friends, but lifted his game brilliantly in the latter stages to set up a final against either Luca van Assche or Joao Fonesca.
“I can’t really put it into words, obviously really happy with the win,” Tien said. “I hate that it was against him (Michelsen) but that’s just how it goes. I thought I played really well today, especially in the fourth and fifth.
“I think it would be amazing (if I won). It feels really weird that I’ve lost this week and still have a chance of the title…but hopefully I can get it done.”
He’s the first man in the tournament’s history to beat each of the top three seeds in the same event, having already beaten No 1 Arthur Fils and No 3 Jakub Mensik earlier in the week.
Michelsen begins strongly in front of Nadal
In front of Rafael Nadal, watching courtside, Tien, who began the year ranked just inside the world’s top 400 on the ATP Tour and who shares a coach with his compatriot, was second best early on.
The right-handed Michelsen broke once to take the first set thanks to a backhand winner but the left-handed Tien hit back well in the second, breaking with a backhand pass of his own.
But Michelsen reasserted himself in the third set, his forehand down the line again doing the damage. After saving a break point in the first game, he broke in the fourth game and served it out to move ahead once more.
Tien storms back FOR VICTORY
World No 122 Tie, who won 28 straight matches on the Challenger Tour and Futures Tours earlier in the season, looked to be feeling some discomfort in his hip but didn’t call for the trainer.
And Tien shrugged off any physical issues as he broke in the second game of the fourth set to lead 2-0. Michelsen seemed to have lost focus and he was broken for a second time as Tien took it to a deciding set.
The momentum was with Tien and more aggressive play took him to 15-40 at 1-0. Michelsen saved two break points with a big serve and then a big forehand but on the third, Tien rifled a return winner on the backhand to snatch the break for a 2-0 lead.
Michelsen saved two match points on his own serve at 0-3 but could not stop Tien from serving it out, a forehand in the net handing the 19-year-old victory.
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