AAP Tennis

Michelsen matches Sampras, Agassi with Open charge

By AAP Newswire

Jan 18, 2025

Giant-killing Alex Michelsen has pulled off a Pete Sampras-like feat to power into the Australian Open fourth round in Melbourne.

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The 20-year-old Michelsen followed up his shock first-round removal of world No.11 and 2023 Open runner-up Stefanos Tsistipas with a straight-sets defeat of 19th seed Karen Khachanov on Saturday.

In claiming the two big scalps, Michelsen is the youngest American since Sampras and four-time AO champion Andre Agassi at the 1990 US Open to record multiple top-20 wins at a grand slam.

"I played unbelievable in that match. I don't even really know what's going on," Michelsen said after seeing off Khachanov 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

"I was hitting my forehand unbelievable. I've never hit my forehand that well, so super happy to keep it going in the next round and, yeah, not a lot of words right now."

20-y.o. Alex Michelsen, who's beaten #12 Tsitsipas and #19 Khachanov at this â€” Christian's Court (@christianscourt) #AusOpen, is the youngest American man to claim multiple top 20 wins at a major since Sampras and Agassi at the 1990 US Open. Does Michelsen have what it takes to win a slam ğŸ�† in his career? pic.twitter.com/A6tGa2IlHd January 18, 2025

Khachanov was a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park two years and shaped as a road block between home hope Alex de Minaur and a place in the quarter-finals for the first time.

Instead Michelsen will be standing in de Minaur's way if the Australian eighth seed takes care of Francisco Cerundolo later on Saturday.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press