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Match Details
Fixture: (Q) Alex Michelsen vs (Q) Christopher O'Connell
Date: September 28, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Alex Michelsen vs Christopher O'Connell preview
Qualifiers Alex Michelsen and Christopher O'Connell will duke it out in the second round of the Japan Open 2024.
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Michelsen secured straight-set wins over Yasutaka Uchiyama and Borna Coric to book his place in the main draw. He was drawn against fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round.
The American went down a double break to trail 5-1 in the opening set. He attempted a comeback by going on a three-game run and saving a set point. However, Tsitsipas was able to serve out the set on his second try to take a one-set lead.
While Michelsen's comeback was nipped in the bud in the first set, he still had plenty of fight left. He broke Tsitsipas' serve twice in each of the next two sets to score a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 comeback win.
O'Connell commenced his campaign in Tokyo in the qualifying rounds as well. He defeated Otto Virtanen and Taro Daniel in straight sets to reach the main draw. He took on Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round.
O'Connell blew a 2-0 lead in the first set but broke Etcheverry's serve for the second time to go 3-2 up. He remained in front after that despite his opponent's best efforts to level terms and managed to clinch the set.
Neither player stumbled during their service games in the second set, which led to a tie-break. Etcheverry raced to a 5-1 lead in it, only for O'Connell to sweep the next six points for a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win.
Alex Michelsen vs Christoper O'Connell head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Alex Michelsen vs Christopher O'Connell odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Alex Michelsen vs Christopher O'Connell prediction
Michelsen's win over Tsitsipas marked his third career top-20 scalp, and his second-best in terms of ranking. He won 70 percent of his first serve points and struck 27 winners compared to 20 unforced errors.
O'Connell won 80 percent of his points on the back of his first serve. However, his error count outpaced the number of winners he hit by 16. The Australian is yet to drop a set in Tokyo, having won all matches in straight sets right from the qualifying rounds.
Michelsen is vying to reach his seventh quarterfinal of the season, while O'Connell is aiming for his second. Both have almost comparable records on hardcourts this season. The former has a 17-13 record on the surface, while the latter has gone 15-12 on it thus far.
O'Connell's 6-9 record against top-50 opposition makes him the underdog in this match-up. Michelsen has also shown more promise in making a deep run, and thus he will be favored to advance further.
Pick: Alex Michelsen to win in three sets.
