In this second-round clash in Halle, rising American star Alex Michelsen faces the more experienced Stefanos Tsitsipas in what promises to be a dynamic battle on grass. While both players come into this match with recent wins under their belts, it’s Tsitsipas who carries the weight of expectations and the motivation to make a deep run, especially after a challenging start to his 2025 campaign.
Alex Michelsen vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Preview
Michelsen has shown signs of growth this season, particularly on faster surfaces. He opened his Halle campaign with a solid three-set win over Francisco Cerúndolo, showcasing his composure in pressure moments. The 19-year-old is steadily building a reputation as a grass-court threat, especially after strong performances in previous tournaments where he often exceeded expectations when making it past the first round.
However, fatigue could be a factor here. Michelsen had a packed schedule last week in Stuttgart, reaching the doubles final, and has been on court almost every day since. While he has proven his talent and fighting spirit, he is still relatively inexperienced at the top level, especially against elite players like Tsitsipas on this surface.
Tsitsipas opened his grass season with a tight win over Luciano Darderi. While the performance wasn’t entirely convincing, he managed to grind through the difficult moments, an encouraging sign for a player trying to rediscover his best form. The Greek is coming off a disappointing clay stretch and is now working under a new coach, Goran Ivanisevic, hoping the change will revive his fortunes.
Despite battling a minor back issue in his first-round match, Tsitsipas will take confidence from getting through a tricky opponent. Historically, grass has not been his strongest surface, but his game style, aggressive forehand, sharp serve, and net play can work effectively here when he’s focused and healthy.
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Place your bet on Betting Tip: Alex Michelsen vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Alex Michelsen vs Stefanos Tsitsipas – Match Analysis
While Michelsen leads the head-to-head 2-0, both previous wins came when Tsitsipas wasn’t at full strength. This time, the Greek seems more determined, and with his new coaching setup in place, he should have both the tactical support and personal motivation to turn things around. Tsitsipas’ experience, shot variety, and mental toughness give him the edge in this matchup, especially if Michelsen begins to tire.
The key for Tsitsipas will be his return game and how effectively he can deal with Michelsen’s serve. If he manages to make enough returns and extend rallies, the match will likely tilt in his favour.
Betting Tip – Alex Michelsen vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Despite a slow start and some recent inconsistency, Tsitsipas remains the more complete and experienced player on this surface. If he manages his fitness and maintains the level he showed during clutch moments in his opener, he should be able to get past Michelsen and reach the quarterfinals.
Betting Tip: Stefanos Tsitsipas to Win
Betting Odds: 1.91
Bookmaker: Cloudbet