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Match Details
Fixture: [SE] Matteo Berrettini vs [Q] Alex Michelsen
Date: June 18, 2024
Tournament: Terra Wortmann Open
Round: Round of 32
Venue: Halle, Germany
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Grass
Prize money: €2,255,665
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Matteo Berrettini vs Alex Michelsen preview
The resurgent Matteo Berrettini will take on American qualifier Alex Michelsen in the first round of the 2024 Terra Wortmann Open on Tuesday (June 18).
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Berrettini was out of action from September 2023 to March 2024 due to an ankle injury. The Italian made his tour-level return at the Miami Open, losing to two-time titlist Andy Murray in three sets.
The former World No. 6 then won his eighth career title in Marrakech, beating seeded players like Lorenzo Sonego and Mariano Navone en route to the final. He then suffered from various physical issues and withdrew from the Italian Open and the French Open.
Berrettini made a comeback at the Stuttgart Open last week and reached the second ATP final of his season. While the 28-year-old was denied by the fast-rising Jack Draper in the title contest, he can take pride in his good results in 2024 thus far.
Alex Michelsen, meanwhile, is playing his first pro season on the men's tour this year. The 19-year-old, who finished runner-up to Adrian Mannarino at the 2023 Hall of Fame Open, has won 11 of his last 26 ATP matches. The highlights of his season include reaching the third round of the Australian Open and recording two quarterfinal appearances at Los Cabos and Geneva.
The American qualified for his first appearance at the Halle Open in style last week. He downed Yannick Hanfmann and Max Hans Rehberg in straight sets in the qualifiers to reach the first round.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alex Michelsen head-to-head
Berrettini and Michelsen have yet to meet on the ATP tour, so their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alex Michelsen odds
Odds sourced from BetMGM.
Matteo Berrettini vs Alex Michelsen prediction
Berrettini has been playing his trademark tennis this year. The 6'5" Italian averaged an 81% first-serve win rate in his first four matches in Stuttgart last week. The 2021 Wimbledon Championships runner-up is expected to put his serve+1 tactic, where he follows his flat serve with his forehand, to good use in Halle.
Michelsen, on his part, is also a big server; the teen won a whopping 89% of his first serve points against Hanfmann in his final qualifying-round victory at the Terra Wortmann Open last week. That said, he struggles with consistency on his first delivery, especially against more experienced players.
In this match-up, the key for Berrettini will be to redirect his young opponent's first serves with block and chip returns. The Italian is likely to get through this match with little to no trouble considering his grass court credentials.
Pick: Matteo Berrettini in two tight sets.
