Alex Michelsen’s free-swinging plan against Jannik Sinner: ‘I’ve got nothing to lose’ | ATP Tour

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Michelsen’s free-swinging plan in opposition to Sinner: ‘I’ve bought nothing to lose’

American teen seems to be forward to first match in opposition to the World No. 1

August 14, 2024

At 5 a.m. in California on the day of the Australian Open ultimate, Alex Michelsen was awake due to jet lag following his personal journey to Australia — he made the third spherical on the 12 months’s first main.

The #NextGenATP American was in a position to catch the tip of the memorable conflict between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, by which Sinner rallied from two units down to assert his first main trophy.

“The extent he bought within the fifth set of his first Grand Slam ultimate, that was fairly epic,” Michelsen informed ATPTour.com.

After defeating Tallon Griekspoor in three units Tuesday, the 19-year-old Michelsen will play Sinner for the primary time within the second spherical of the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday.

“It’s going to be loads of enjoyable. I’ve bought nothing to lose,” Michelsen stated. “I’m going to go on the market and check out my finest to swing free and have enjoyable, and we’ll see what occurs.”

The American has by no means practised along with his Italian counterpart. “Perhaps that’ll assist me a little bit bit. [He] has by no means seen my ball,” he stated. “I am certain I do know much more about him than he does about me. So I believe possibly that’ll assist me as properly.”

The primary time Michelsen heard of Sinner was in the course of the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. The Italian, the lowest-ranked participant within the area, lifted the trophy in Milan.

“He gained Subsequent Gen and I used to be like, ‘Oh, this man hits absolutely the crap out of all’,” Michelsen stated. “I used to be like, ‘Okay,’. I am certain he’ll do the identical factor in opposition to me, simply hit the crap out of it.”

The No. 57 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings is simply two spots off his career-high mark. He has performed two matches in opposition to High 10 opponents, going 1-1, together with a win in opposition to then-World No. 9 Alex de Minaur in Los Cabos.

However the American additionally is aware of he’ll face a troublesome take a look at in opposition to Sinner. Michelsen watches loads of tennis on tv and is aware of how properly the Italian has carried out this season, particularly in comparison with early in his profession.

“I do not suppose his recreation has modified that a lot. I believe he is gotten rather a lot stronger and rather a lot sooner and rather a lot fitter,” Michelsen stated. “However for me, I do not suppose his recreation has modified that a lot. I believe he is modified some issues. His serve bought higher, and possibly his forehand bought a little bit higher, however the way in which he performs stayed the identical.”

The house favorite’s conflict with the highest seed will happen on centre courtroom. It is a chance Michelsen is trying ahead to.

“I find it irresistible. I am actually pleased both means,” Michelsen stated. “You possibly can put me Court docket 25 within the trenches, I am pleased. You place me on centre courtroom, I am even happier. So it’s going to be enjoyable. Hopefully they’re going to root for me as a result of I am American.”

The teenager defined that as a result of that is the primary High 5 opponent Michelsen is going through, it stands out as the largest match he has performed up to now early in his profession.

“I performed Zverev on Rod Laver when he was sixth on the planet, and I am enjoying the World No. 1,” Michelsen stated. “I’ve by no means performed anybody High 5, so it’s going to be a brand new expertise, that is for certain.”

The energetic Californian has loved the assist he has acquired all through the North-American summer season. When he broke by final season, “nobody actually knew who I used to be”. Michelsen is “actually pleased” that the followers have responded properly to him in 2024.

The teenager is pleased to be making his debut in Cincinnati and is very happy that the occasion is staged in Mason. He prefers staying away from massive cities.

The person he faces on Wednesday, Sinner, is a fellow Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF alumnus. In second place within the PIF ATP Stay Race To Jeddah, Michelsen is attempting to qualify for the second 12 months in a row. Two former champions (Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz) are within the High 3 of the PIF ATP Rankings right this moment.

“Each these guys gained [the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF]. It’s extremely motivating. If I might win the event, put my title up with theirs, that might be nice. However that is not simple to do, successful a event is rarely simple,” Michelsen stated. “So we’ll see, however I believe simply being part of the Subsequent Gen programme is absolutely good for my confidence too.”

Irrespective of the results of Michelsen’s showdown with Sinner, there isn’t a doubt about the kind of effort the American will give.

“I’m going to go on the market and I’ll compete my a** off each alternative I get,” Michelsen stated. “I’m by no means going to surrender, and I pleasure myself on competing.”