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Fixture: (WC) Reilly Opelka vs (3) Alex Michelsen
Date: July 20, 2024
Tournament: Hall of Fame Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, US
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $661,585
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Reilly Opelka vs Alex Michelsen preview
Reilly Opelka will take on third seed Alex Michelsen in the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Open on Saturday, July 20. The winner of the match will reach their first final of the 2024 season.
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Opelka missed the latter part of the 2022 season and the entirety of the 2023 ATP Tour due to injuries. He played his first tour-level event August 2022 at the Hall of Fame Open and started the tournament with a 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(2) win over Constant Lestienne .
The American then faced top seed and defending champion Adrian Mannarino, and triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to book his place in the quarterfinals. Here, he came back from a set down to defeat compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the semifinals.
Alex Michelsen entered the ATP 250 tournament in Newport following an opening-round exit at Wimbledon. The teenager was among the top-four seeds in the competition and as a result, he received a bye to the second round.
Michelsen faced Maxime Cressy and registered a 6-4, 6-4 win to book his place in the quarterfinals. Here, he faced Aleksandar Kovacevic and secured another victory by the same scoreline to reach his first semifinal of the 2024 season.
Reilly Opelka vs Alex Michelsen head-to-head
The two will meet for the very first time on the ATP Tour
Reilly Opelka vs Alex Michelsen odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Reilly Opelka vs Alex Michelsen prediction
While Michelsen is the considerably higher-ranked player, Opelka has done well to reach the semifinals in Newport despite being out of action for a long, long time. So, the 19-year-old could well have a tough job on his hand.
Reilly Opelka's biggest weapon is perhaps his serve and he has alreadh fetched 62 aces from just three matches at the Hall of Fame Open. The 26-year-old's powerful serving will be useful on grass and Michelsen is bound to face a tough time returning them.
While Opelka's doube-fault count is significantly lower than that of aces he has served so far in Newport, 15 is not a number that should be taken lightly, and he needs to be careful not to produce too many of those.
Michelsen's serve isn't as lethal as his compatriot's but it is effective and he will be eager to add to his tally of six aces so far in Newport. The teenager loves to come to the net and can trouble Opelka there. He has a fine forehand and will look to make the most out of it.
While Opelka has done well, he has had a few three-setters and that may have an impact on him physically. Michelsen could make the most out of this and book his place to his first final of 2024.
Pick: Michelsen in three sets.
