Fully focussed, victory in sight, match point and then Alex Michelsen (USA) started to get nervous. He wobbled, and wobbled badly, but Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) only capitalised on it briefly. In the end, the US American crossed the finishing line first, winning 7:6(5), 7:5 to advance to the quarter-finals.
Excellent serves and powerful, well-placed baseline shots - the returner had nothing to order. Both players acted like this in the first set. And the resulting logical tie-break went according to plan for the server - up to a score of 5:4 in favour of Alex Michelsen. The US American then managed a mini-break to make it 6:4 and converted his second set point, his first set point on his own serve, with ease: 7:6(5).
Losing the set had really thrown Stefanos Tsitsipas off his stride. He immediately conceded a break in the second set and the American continued to play with full concentration and stoic composure. This calmness came to an end at 5:4. With victory practically in sight, he became nervous, suddenly attacked hastily and conceded the break to make it 5:5. Stefanos Tsitsipas now had the momentum on his side, but far from it. Instead of taking the lead for the first time in the second set, the Greek conceded another break. Break. He paused on the player's couch, took a deep breath and then it started again. This time, Alex Michelsen held his nerve and ended the match 7:6(5), 7:5 after one hour and 43 minutes.
"It was an incredibly close match. I'm glad that I was able to overcome my nervousness after losing my serve and continued to play courageously," said the American, breathing a sigh of relief after the match. He thus keeps his clean slate against Stefanos Tsitsipas: three matches, three wins.
