#NextGenATP Michelsen makes history in Mallorca

Alex Michelsen made history on Sunday in Mallorca.

The #NextGenATP American earned his first grass-court win of the season at the Mallorca Championships presented by Waterdrop, where he defeated Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6(4). By doing so, the 19-year-old became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the event.

“That’s pretty cool,” Michelsen said. “I had no idea that that was going to be a statistic, so I’m super happy with that and super happy with the win today.”

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One year ago, Michelsen entered the Mallorca main draw as a lucky loser and nearly defeated Christopher Eubanks, who won the match 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5. Eubanks went on to win the tournament.

“The island, there are not many places that you go on Tour that are better than this,” said Michelsen, who will next play third seed Adrian Mannarino. “The tournament is very well run, one of the best clubs I’ve ever been to. The courts suit my game. I almost beat Eubanks last year and he won the tournament, so just really enjoy being here and hopefully I can come here for many years.”

The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF competitor has enjoyed success on grass before, reaching his first ATP Tour final last year on the surface in Newport.

In other action, home favourite Roberto Bautista Agut ousted Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-0 in 53 minutes. The 36-year-old converted all five of his break points and won 60 per cent of his return points according to Infosys ATP Stats.

In an all-Spanish battle, Roberto Carballes Baena closed the day’s play with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(3) victory against former World No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta. Carballes Baena now leads the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-0.

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