Magical week for Alex Michelsen continues as he beats John Isner, heads to final
NEWPORT — The defending champion fell victim in the opening round. A four-time champion followed in Saturday’s semifinals.
The tennis world is Alex Michelsen’s oyster at the moment. Fitting, of course, that his breakout continues seaside at this week’s Infosys Hall of Fame Open.
Michelsen captured the second singles match of the afternoon at the Newport Casino, taking care of John Isner, 7-6 (6), 6-4. His pair of aces on the final two points ended a perfect service game, and a Georgia commit took care of the most successful tennis alum in Bulldogs history.
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“In the warmup, when he was warming up serves, I was like, ‘Wow, I’m about to play this guy,’” Michelsen said. “I grew up watching him. Pretty cool.”
Michelsen will face a current top-40 player in Sunday’s 2:30 p.m. finale. Adrian Mannarino was sharp both on his serve and in the return game to eliminate fellow France native Ugo Humbert, 6-4, 6-3, and reach his first final here.
“There are some days like that – everything is rolling your way,” Mannarino said. “Today was one of those days.”
Michelsen won last week’s Challenger event in Chicago, his latest in an impressive string of results on the lower circuit. All four of his career ATP Tour match wins have come here this week, starting with a three-set victory over Maxime Cressy. Isner was looking to complete a handful of titles – he lifted the Van Alen Cup in 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019.
“Kind of from point number one against Cressy, I was like, ‘Okay, I think I can handle this,’” Michelsen said. “They’re the top players in the world.”
Michelsen saved a break point at 2-2 in the opening set and prevailed in a tiebreaker – that format is essentially a second home for a big server like Isner. Michelsen saved a set point, thumped a backhand pass up the line at 6-6 and nailed another forehand pass up the line to take the lead in the match.
“I found a couple good serves and hit a couple good passing shots,” Michelsen said. “I really didn’t think I was going to win both of those points, but I snuck the breaker. It was nice.”
Michelsen broke Isner’s serve in the opening game of the second set and never trailed from there. He was unfazed late in the set when Isner actually knocked his hat off with a serve. The 18-year-old's breezy demeanor has allowed him to avoid getting too wrapped up in this ongoing rise through the sport.
“I think I’m going to need a month, maybe – three weeks,” Michelsen said. “It’s going to be a little bit for sure.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m in a final. That’s probably a good thing. That's why I’m playing so loose.”
Mannarino won just seven games against Humbert while being eliminated from the French Open, but that match was on clay. His experience on the grass offered Mannarino a chance to reach his first final in 10 trips here. Mannarino won 79% of points on his first serve and 46% of his return points.
“It was a match on Newport grass,” Mannarino said. “Anything can happen. I took my chances in the big moments and it worked.”
Mannarino was up two breaks and 4-1 in the opening set before hitting a couple bumps. Humbert closed within 5-4 and Mannarino needed four set points to take the lead in the match. The second set was a little more comfortable, as Mannarino notched another early break to 2-1 and converted on his fifth match point.
“Every time we play each other he’s beating me,” Mannarino said. “We practice a lot together. I’m always down. Today I had nothing to lose.”
Sunday’s doubles final is also set after the second of two semifinals on Saturday. Nathaniel Lammons-Jackson Withrow needed a super tiebreaker to outlast Yuki Bhambri-Saketh Myneni, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (1), 11-9. Max Purcell and Little Compton summer resident William Blumberg defeated Anirudh Chandrasekar-Vijay Sundar Prashanth in straight sets on Friday to punch the first ticket.
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Alex Michelsen beats John Isner to advance to Hall of Fame final
