Winston-Salem Open 2024: Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (11) Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Date: Monday, August 23, 2024
Tournament: Winston-Salem Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $779,780
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN
Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta preview
Eleventh seed Alex Michelsen will take on Pablo Carreno Busta in the semifinals of the Winston-Salem Open on August 23.
Michelsen is among the highly-rated youngsters on the men's tour. After an encouraging third round finish in Melbourne, he reached the quarterfinals in Los Cabos, Geneva, and Mallorca. The American then came agonizingly close to lifting the title in Newport but lost to Marcos Giron in the finals.
Michelsen entered Winston-Salem on the back of a second-round exit in Cincinnati. He started his campaign by cruising past Marton Fucsovics and Zizou Bergs in the first two rounds and then outlasted Christopher Eubanks in the third. The 19-year-old defeated the American in two hours and 29 minutes, 7-5, 6-7(6), 7-6(5).
Pablo Carreno Busta, meanwhile, had been sidelined for almost 18 months in the last two years due to an elbow injury. He returned to the men's tour in May at the 2024 French Open and lost to Mariano Navone in the first round.
The Spaniard entered Winston-Salem on the back of a third round exit in Cincinnati. He outfoxed the likes of Alexander Shevchenko, Aleksandar Vukic and Learner Tien en route to the semifinals. Carreno Busta defeated Tien in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta head-to-head
The head-to-head between Michelsen and Carreno-Busta is locked at 0-0.
Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Alex Michelsen vs Pablo Carreno Busta prediction
Alex Michelsen has quickly risen up the ranks on the ATP tour. At just 19, he reached the first final of his career this year and is now two wins away from claiming his maiden title in Winston-Salem. The American has an elite skill set and likes to play a fearless brand of tennis.
Pablo Carreno Busta, meanwhile, didn't take too much time to find his rhythm again on tour. After a slow start in Paris, he built up some steam in Cincinnati and is now close to garnering a strong result in Winston-Salem. The Spaniard won this event eight years ago in 2016 and will be eager to lift the trophy this year.
Michelsen will face a seasoned campaigner in Carreno Busta in the next round and will need to be ready to adjust his game mid-match. The Spaniard is known for his resilience and is a fine timer of the tennis ball on the court. Current form suggests that Michelsen will be the favorite to pass this test, but Carreno Busta's experience might just see him through to the finals.
Pick: Carreno Busta to win in three sets.