Japan Open 2024: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs (Q) Alex Michelsen
Date: September 26, 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen preview
Fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on qualifier Alex Michelsen in the first round of the Japan Open 2024.
Tsitsipas, who was the runner-up at last year's Australian Open, bowed out in the fourth round this time. He also dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in nearly five years because of his early exit. He had some respectable results over the next few weeks, including a semifinal appearance at the Los Cabos Open.
However, Tsitsipas concluded the initial hardcourt swing with a second-round exit from the Miami Open. He started his time on clay with a bang as he won the Monte-Carlo Masters for the third time in four years. He also reached the final of the Barcelona Open the following week, and lost to Casper Ruud.
The Greek then lost in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open, the French Open, and the Paris Olympics. He crashed out in the second round of Wimbledon, and didn't fare any better once the tour switched back to hardcourts.
Tsitsipas lost in the second round of the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open, and failed to cross the opening hurdle at the US Open. He then participated in the Laver Cup, and won his only singles match, and eventually the title with Team Europe.
Michelsen commenced his Japan Open campaign in the qualifying rounds. He beat Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-3, 6-4, and faced former top-20 player Borna Coric for a spot in the main draw. He secured a 6-3, 6-3 win over the Croat and advanced to the main draw.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen head-to-head
This will be the first career meeting between them, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Alex Michelsen prediction
Michelsen breezed through both of his qualifying matches, and didn't drop his serve even once. He has a 24-24 record for the season, with a 16-13 record on hardcourts. He also reached his first final on the surface at the Winston-Salem Open, and another one in doubles at the Cincinnati Open.
Tsitsipas has a 37-17 record for the year, though he's 13-9 on hardcourts. He has mainly thrived on clay, and when it comes to big tournaments on hardcourts, he has underperformed. He hasn't made it past the fourth round of a Major or a Masters tournament on the surface.
Michelsen has punched above his weight a couple of times this year, and has a 2-8 record against top-20 players. However, only one of those wins has been on hardcourts. While Tsitsipas has had his share of challenges this year, he should be able to handle the American and make a winning start in Tokyo.
Pick: Stefanos Tsitsipas to win in straight sets.