Alex the Great - Alex Michelsen Thread

Rovesciarete

Hall of Fame
Still big babe energy from Mr. Michelsen, will grow into a better athlete over the years. Trying stuff and improving too, love that energy in a youngster. Lots of potential in his serve.

His brilliant backhand DTL will be the bane of many an inside-out forehand.
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
wow, just saw this:

Michelsen became the youngest American to claim multiple top-20 wins at a Grand Slam since Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi at the 1990 U.S. Open.
 

ey039524

Hall of Fame
Lot of room to improve his physicality (needs the Sir Murray regimen) and serve, but I love the trajectory. Top 35 now.
Saw a short video of him w ginepri and ginepri's trainer. Alex said that this past year is the first year that he's actually trained, so expect him to get much stronger/fitter.

He needs to go see Paul annacone regarding his serve.
 

Rovesciarete

Hall of Fame
Did not watch the whole match but seems that de Minaur got him moving a lot. Michelsen is great at absorbing pace, especially with his backhand, but gets troubled by angles and guys taking the ball early.
 
Michelsen looks like he has a ton of upside. Once he develops a little more and builds some speed (as well as a little more anticipation), he's going to be tough to beat. He does have what look like pretty efficient strokes, easy power on both wings. He is also, IMHO, a pretty natural volleyer. That's Demon at his peak, but he's about at the limit right now, and Michelsen will only get better if he stays healthy. Looking forward to watching more.
 

buscemi

Legend
Did not watch the whole match but seems that de Minaur got him moving a lot. Michelsen is great at absorbing pace, especially with his backhand, but gets troubled by angles and guys taking the ball early.
Yeah, this sums it up really well. That feels like it will be the next point of emphasis.

Still, he's up to a career-high #36 before being 20.5 years old, and the growth in his game seems evident. The goal (that I made up) of him being top 30 by the end of the year seems readily achievable if he stays healthy and keeps up this level for the rest of the year.
 

buscemi

Legend
Michelsen looks like he has a ton of upside. Once he develops a little more and builds some speed (as well as a little more anticipation), he's going to be tough to beat. He does have what look like pretty efficient strokes, easy power on both wings. He is also, IMHO, a pretty natural volleyer. That's Demon at his peak, but he's about at the limit right now, and Michelsen will only get better if he stays healthy. Looking forward to watching more.
Yes, speed and stamina both need some work, with him already having made improvements from last season, but with a good way still to go.
 

buscemi

Legend
Nice win over Norrie after losing a tight one to him in Dallas. With the win, Alex is into the Delray Beach SF against Kecmanović and rises to a career-high #33 in the live rankings. Good, gradual progress as he's exactly where I hoped he be at age 20.
 

atatu

Legend
I was going to start a new thread but decided it would be just as good to ask here, who are you picking to have a better career, Michelsen or Tien ? I think it's a tough choice as Michelsen probably has a higher ceiling but I see Tien having a more consistent career year to year.
 

buscemi

Legend
I was going to start a new thread but decided it would be just as good to ask here, who are you picking to have a better career, Michelsen or Tien ? I think it's a tough choice as Michelsen probably has a higher ceiling but I see Tien having a more consistent career year to year.
I think this nails it. For me, it's all about Michelsen unlocking a bit bigger serve. He's already shown some improvement in that regard this year, but I think there's still room for improvement. If he can add a bigger serve to his return of serve, net game, and backhand, he will be tough to handle.
 

Moose Malloy

G.O.A.T.
Tien was still playing futures last summer, a bit unfair to compare to Michelsen who's been on main tour longer. Give Tien at least one full year on main tour before comparing.
 

atatu

Legend
Tien was still playing futures last summer, a bit unfair to compare to Michelsen who's been on main tour longer. Give Tien at least one full year on main tour before comparing.
Agreed, they're pretty close in age, I'm not comparing them necessarily, just asking for predictions over the course of their careers.
 
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