Alex Michelsen, Learner Tien impress ahead of US Open | ATP Tour

PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah

PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah Update: Americans Michelsen, Tien shine

20-and-under event takes place 18-22 December

August 26, 2024

Americans Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien have boosted their respective chances of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF after they impressed on home soil in Winston-Salem.

Michelsen consolidated second spot in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah after he reached his second ATP Tour final of the season at the hard-court event. The 20-year-old produced a series of aggressive displays at the ATP 250 event before he lost to Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the title match.

Michelsen, who is also at a career-high No. 49 in the PIF ATP Rankings, is aiming to making his second appearance in Jeddah after competing last year. He will now head to New York to play at the US Open, starting against Eliot Spizzirri.

PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah

Tien also enjoyed a memorable week in Winston-Salem, where he advanced through qualifying to reach the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old, who has received a wild card for the US Open, had never competed in an ATP Tour main draw before arriving in North Carolina.

Tien is currently eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and in the final qualification position, six points ahead of ninth-placed Henrique Rocha.

Shang Juncheng has climbed to third after he reached the third round in Winston-Salem. The 19-year-old Chinese lefty beat Argentines Francisco Comesana and Mariano Navone at the hard-court event. Shang is just 25 points clear of Jakub Mensik, with both players set to compete at the US Open this fortnight.