Alex Michelsen rallied from one set down to beat Nishesh Basaraveddy 2-4 4-3 (7-5) 4-3 (7-4) 4-2 in all-American clash at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. Michelsen won the first match of his career at this event after losing three times in the round robin on his debut last year.
Basaraveddy struck first to win the opening set 4-2 before Michelsen bounced back to win the next two sets in the tie-break. Michelsen went down an early break but he won the last three games to take the fourth set 4-2.
Basaraveddy earned his first break in the third game of the first set to take a 2-1 lead and served out on his second set point in the sixth game.
Both players went on serve en route to the tie-break in the second set. The tie-break started with three consecutive mini-breaks. Michelsen held his next service serves to open up a 4-1 lead. Basaraveddy won the next two points for 3-4 but Michelsen won the tie-break on his third set point with an ace.
Michelsen earned an early break in the first game of the third set to take a 2-0 lead. Michelsen let slip four set points from 40-0 down to drop serve in the sixth game.
Basaraveddy earned an early mini-break to take a 2-0 lead in the tie-break but Michelsen won seven of his next nine points with two mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-4.
Basaraveddy broke at love in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Michelsen converted his fourth break back point in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Michelsen broke for the second time in the sixth game to seal the fourth set 4-2.
Luca Van Assche and Michelsen have win apiece and a 3-1 sets record in Red Group.
“That did not feel good. I left his chip on 40-15 that hit the line, then at 40-30, then at 40-30 I lost the point, but I was still thinking at deuce. ‘Let’s make a first server, but that didn’t happen. He started hot in the breaker, but I did a really good job of resetting. I am super happy with the way that I fought at the end”, said Michelsen,
