By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday June 22, 2023
18-year-old Alex Michelsen reached his first ATP final, defeating John Isner to reach the final.
Photo Source: TTV
Alex Michelsen had never won an ATP match prior to this week at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport. After finishing off John Isner in semifinal action on Saturday the 18-year-old now has four wins and a maiden ATP final to his name.
The California native will face France’s Adrian Mannarino for the title on Sunday after taking out John Isner 7-6(6), 6-4.
Michelsen was No. 1,081 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings this week last year. He's now up to 130 in the live rankings ahead of Sunday's final.
“I think I’m going to need a month [to process this],” said Michelsen on Saturday. “It’s going to need a little bit for sure. It doesn’t feel like I’m in the final, but that’s probably a good thing. That’s why I’m playing so loose.”
Earlier, Mannarino took out compatriot Ugo Humbert, 6-4, 6-3. The 35-year-old is bidding for his third career ATP title in his 13th ATP final.
Michelsen, the youngest American in the Top 100 at 190, will bid to become the ATP’s fifth first-time winner of 2023 on Sunday.