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Match Details
Fixture: Alex Michelsen vs James McCabe
Date: January 16, 2025
Tournament: Australian Open 2025
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: A$ 96,500,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN & Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Sports & Sony LIV
Alex Michelsen vs James McCabe preview
20-year-old Alex Michelsen will look to keep his Australian Open campaign alive when he takes on home favorite James McCabe in the second round.
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Michelsen had a mixed start to the 2025 season. He experienced a second-round exit at the Brisbane International, but had a quarterfinal run at the ASB Classic, losing 6-2, 2-6, 4-6 to another rising American star, Nishesh Basavareddy.
Michelsen started off the 2025 Australian Open with a massive upset, as he won 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 against former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round. The two players were almost on equal footing on first-serve and second-serve points. It was however, on the return wing that Michelsen got past the Greek, as he won 35 percent of the return points compared to the 30 percent won by Tsitsipas. The young American fired as many as 7 return winners past the Greek's serve.
James McCabe, on the other hand, did not have a great start to the 2025 season. The Australian could not qualify for the main draw at any of his home events, the Brisbane International and the Adelaide International. On both occasions, he was defeated by Benjamin Bonzi in the Qualifiers.
On receiving a wild card at Melbourne, McCabe made a winning start by overcoming Spanish qualifier Martin Landulace 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The Australian had a dominant outing, as he hit 14 aces, winning 83 percent of his first serve points. He broke his opponent's serve thrice but faced a solitary break point which he saved.
Alex Michelsen vs James McCabe head-to-head
The head-to-head between the two players is 1-0 in favor of Alex Michelsen. The American won the only match against McCabe at the 2024 Australian Open, winning 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Alex Michelsen vs James McCabe odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Alex Michelsen vs James McCabe prediction
During their Australian Open clash last year, Michelsen won 67 percent of the service points and 42 percent of the return points. Meanwhile, McCabe won 58 percent of the service points and 33 percent of the return points. One key differentiator was the American's second serve, which saw him win 62 percent of the points compared to the Australian who won 40 percent of his second serve points.
The return game of Michelsen was so strong that he converted six of the eight break-point opportunities he got in the match. However, the American's serve proved vulnerable, as McCabe generated 11 break-point opportunities but could only capitalize on three.
For McCabe to have a chance, he needs to clinch the pressure points and improve his break point conversion and second serve accuracy. However, given Michelsen's form, the American is the firm favorite to win this match.
Pick- Michelsen to win in straight sets
