Next Gen ATP Finals: Michelsen avenges 2023 loss to Van Assche to reach semi-finals
The American staged a comeback victory against Luca Van Assche on Thursday
Zuma/Panoramic
Alex Michelsen, the world No 41 from the US, defeated France’s Luca Van Assche 1-4, 4-2, 4-3 (6), 4-3 (5) on the second day of the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The win meant Michelsen qualified for the semi-finals of the 20-under-20 tournament.
The American secured the win in an hour, 45 minutes to move to the top in the Red Group standings.
This was notably Michelsen and Van Assche’s second battle on tour. They first faced each other in the round-robin stage of the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals, where the Frenchman clinched a 4-3 (0), 3-4 (4), 3-4 (4), 4-1, 4-3 (6) win.
“If you would have told me 12 months ago that I would be in the semi-finals this year, I would have been a very happy man,” Michelsen said after the match. “I played really well today and I am super happy to get through. I have always hated losing. I try to put my best foot forward and win as hard as I can, and if I don’t, I won’t be able to sleep at night. I try hard in everything I do, and I bring that to the court.”
Qualified 💪
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 19, 2024
Alex Michelsen defeats Van Assche, securing his spot in the semi-finals!#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/OXhboWTV8V
Set 1: Van Assche comes out all guns blazing
The match opened to an electrifying start from Van Assche, who broke Michelsen’s serve in the first game. He then converted another break point on the American’s serve in the fifth game to secure the set.
The Frenchman averaged 83 percent on his first-serve points and 75 percent on the second against the American’s unimpressive 46 percent and 43 percent, respectively during the set.
He smashed an ace and five winners and committed only three unforced errors to Michelsen’s eight.
Set 2: Michelsen cuts the deficit
The world No 41 from the US responded strongly in the second set by breaking Van Assche in the first game.
The duo then remained on serve as Michelsen cut the deficit to draw the proceedings, after the world No 128 managed to save a set point.
The American’s column saw a drastic improvement in the set as he recorded a 90 percent conversion rate on the first serve and didn’t lose any points on his second serve.
Set 3: The American Saves three set points
In the third set, both players treaded carefully, remaining unbroken in the first six games to force a tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Van Assche earned three set points but Michelsen hung tough to save them all and later converted one to take the lead.
The American won four of his points with aces and three with winners in the set to take the lead over his opponent, who sprayed eight double faults.
Alex finding the angle 📐
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 19, 2024
Michelsen saves 3⃣ set points to take the lead against Van Assche!#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/iAbmBT7cVQ
Set 4: Michelsen wins another tiebreaker
The fourth set witnessed a chaotic beginning, with Michelsen and Van Assche breaking each other in their respective first games on serve.
The two then held their serves to play second tiebreaker of the match.
The American raced to a 5-1 lead in the tiebreaker but the Frenchman staged a mini comeback to draw level at 5-5. It, however, proved too little too late as Michelsen crossed the finish line by claiming the following two points.
