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, defeating Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6(4). In doing so, the 19-year-old became the youngest player to win a main draw at the event.
“That’s great,” Michelsen said. “I didn’t know that was going to be the number one, so I’m really happy with that and I’m really happy with the win today.”
[ATP APP]One year ago, Michelsen entered the Majorca tournament as an underdog and narrowly defeated Christopher Eubanks, who won the match 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-5. Eubanks went on to win the tournament.
“The island, there aren’t many places you can go on Tour that are better than this,” said Michelsen, who will play third-place Adrian Mannarino. “The tournament is run very well, it’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been to. The courts suit my game. I almost beat Eubanks last year and he won the tournament, so I’m very happy to be here and hopefully I can come here for many years.”
The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by rival PIF has enjoyed success on grass before, reaching its first ATP Tour final last year in Newport.
Elsewhere, home favorite 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 percent of his return points according to Infosys ATP Stats.
In Spanish action, Roberto Carballes Baena closed out the day’s action with a 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(3) victory against former World No. Pablo Carreno Busta. Carbales Baena now leads the two in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series 2-0.
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