#NextGenATP Michelsen begins quest for first ATP title in Los Cabos

Could this be the week #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen wins his first ATP Tour title?

The 19-year-old made a good start to his Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory against Frenchman Constant Lestienne. The World No. 74 claimed the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting behind the strength of his return game, breaking serve four times.

The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals competitor showed his high level last week in Delray Beach, where he pushed eventual finalist and Dallas champion Tommy Paul to a final-set tie-break. He also made the third round of the Australian Open in January.

Michelsen will try to maintain his form in the second round against third seed Alex de Minaur.

Crafty Briton Daniel Evans got back on track Monday with a straight-sets win. The No. 42 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings defeated fifth seed Roman Safiullin 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 41 minutes to reach the second round at the Los Cabos ATP 250. It was the 33-year-old’s second win of the season.

“It’s very tough to win in all of the tournaments on the Tour, so any win is good,” Evans said. “To get another chance to play here is great and hopefully I can play a few more matches.”

Top 50 win 🗣

A first career victory for Dan Evans against Roman Safiullin 6-2 6-4 earns him a second round spot in Los Cabos.@CaboTennisOpen | #LosCabosTennisOpen pic.twitter.com/X8PtD5Gyfe

— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 20, 2024

According to Infosys ATP Stats, Evans won 52 per cent of his return points to put consistent pressure on his opponent’s serve. In the second set he converted all three of his break points to move on.

“He started to play a little better. Balls got a lot older, so it was tougher to serve and play my game,” Evans said. “I had to hang in there, played some good tennis at the end to get through that last game.”

Other winners on the first day of main draw action were seventh seed Max Purcell, American Aleksandar Kovacevic and Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Seventh seed Purcell battled past Italian Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 behind five breaks of serve. Kovacevic won a clash of qualifiers against countryman Brandon Holt 6-1, 6-4.

Kokkinakis recovered from a break deficit in the second set to eventually overcome British lefty Jack Draper 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in three hours. The No. 103 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings next plays Evans.