Christopher O'Connell vs Alex Michelsen Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Japan Open

Prediction published on 26/09/2024, 08:38  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 26/09/2024 at 10:11 in Tennis Predictions

Two qualifiers Alex Michelsen and Christopher O’Connell are set to meet at the in the second round at the 2024 Japan Open. The Friday match will be their first meeting and here are stats for this match plus our prediction.

O’Connell is having a strong run in Tokyo and hasn’t lost a set in three matches. He won both his qualifiers in straight sets and carried this form to the opening round against Tomas Etcheverry.

The Australian will arrive for this match confident of getting the better of Michelsen. O’Connell has, however, struggled to go past the second round at the tour this year.

In the 10 times he made it to the second round, he lost seven times. Advancing to this round has bumped him nine places up in the live ranking to 70th.

Alex Michelsen was outstanding in his opening-round match against fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, coming from a set down to win. Defeating one of the tournament favorites will have the American confident of prolonging his stay in Tokyo.

Michelsen, though inconsistent, has had a strong season. He has reached two tour finals; in Newport and Winston Salem, the latter being on hard court. The 20-year-old is a good hard-court player and so far this season has claimed 24 of his 36 wins on the surface.

Reaching this round at the expense of Tsitsipas has propelled Michelsen into a new ATP career placing. He has moved up four places in the live ranking to 45th. The winner here will take on Tommy Paul or Tomas Machac in the quarter-finals.