In an unexpected twist at the 2024 Moselle Open, American tennis star Alex Michelsen turned heads by using a rare side-swipe serve during his semifinal match against France’s Benjamin Bonzi. With an abdominal injury hampering his performance, Michelsen was forced to adopt this unique tactic, usually seen in pickleball, as he struggled to keep pace in a hard-fought battle on November 8 in Metz.
Michelsen’s Strong Start, Injury Strikes Mid-Match
Michelsen began the match with impressive momentum, managing to break Bonzi’s serve in the fifth game of the first set to secure an early lead. Despite his promising start, an abdominal strain soon proved problematic, leading Michelsen to call for a medical timeout. Though he continued the match, the injury significantly impacted his performance, causing him to lose six consecutive games as Bonzi seized the opportunity to even the score.
The real spectacle came in the third set. With serving nearly impossible due to his injury, the 20-year-old Michelsen switched to an unconventional side-swipe serve, a technique far more familiar in pickleball than tennis. The bold move briefly flustered Bonzi, who returned the serve only to witness Michelsen send his next shot into the net. Fans were treated to a video clip of this unusual serve, which quickly made waves online.
Bonzi Prevails Despite Ups and Downs
Despite the unexpected change in tactics from Michelsen, Bonzi managed to keep his composure. While both players experienced dips in performance, Bonzi maintained his grip on the game, ultimately breaking Michelsen three times in the final set. Michelsen mounted a resilient comeback, reclaiming two of those breaks, but could not close the gap entirely. Bonzi emerged victorious with a final score of 4-6, 6-0, 7-5, securing a place in his first tour-level final in over a year.
The victory was another feather in Bonzi’s cap, building on a recent winning streak. Prior to Moselle, Bonzi had only dropped one of his last fifteen matches, including consecutive wins in two Challenger-level tournaments. His impressive run in Metz saw him come through the qualifiers and eliminate high-profile players like Roberto Bautista Agut, Casper Ruud, and Quentin Halys. Now, Bonzi is set to face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the tournament final, hoping to secure his first ATP title in Metz.
A Bright Future for Alex Michelsen: Eyeing the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals
While the Moselle Open may not have ended as Michelsen hoped, his season is far from over. The young American is currently in second place in the race to the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, an exclusive tournament celebrating the brightest emerging talents in men’s tennis. This year’s event, scheduled for December 18-22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, could offer Michelsen a shot at redemption as he vies for a place among tennis’s rising stars. Michelsen’s year has been one of steady progression, with two ATP Tour-level finals under his belt (Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and Winston-Salem). This string of accomplishments has propelled him into the ATP’s top 50, currently ranked World No. 44. If he qualifies, it would mark his second appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals, following his debut in 2023.
Standing in his way are several promising contenders, including World No. 20 Arthur Fils, who holds the top spot after a stellar season with two ATP 500 titles in Hamburg and Tokyo. Other notable young players in the running include Jakub Mensik, Juncheng Shang, Luca Van Assche, Learner Tien, Joao Fonseca, and Martin Landaluce.
A Season of Growth and Learning
For Alex Michelsen, the 2024 Moselle Open marked another lesson in resilience and adaptability. Despite the setback in Metz, Michelsen’s willingness to try an unconventional serve highlights his inventive approach and determination, even in challenging circumstances. As he heads into the Next Gen ATP Finals, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he builds on his experiences from this season, adding depth to his already promising career.
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