Alex de Minaur exacted sweet revenge on Alex Michelsen at the French Open, delivering a crushing defeat that left the American teenager in a tantrum-throwing mess. De Minaur’s dominant performance saw him sail into the second round at Roland Garros with a 6-1 6-0 6-2 victory over the man who had defeated him earlier this year in Los Cabos.
The match on Tuesday night was a stark contrast to their previous encounter, with Michelsen left demoralized and frustrated, resorting to throwing a teenage tantrum reminiscent of John McEnroe. The 19-year-old American berated the umpire and screamed in frustration over a line call that went against him in the final set.
De Minaur’s win marked a bright spot for Australian tennis at the French Open, following a string of disappointing losses for his compatriots. With Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Saville, and Jordan Thompson among those crashing out early, De Minaur’s victory provided a much-needed boost for the Australian contingent.
Looking ahead, De Minaur has a strong chance to make a deep run at Roland Garros, aiming to become the first Australian man in 17 years to reach the second week of the tournament. Reflecting on his performance, De Minaur expressed confidence in his game and comfort on the clay surface, setting his sights on advancing further in the competition.
Despite Michelsen’s outburst and poor display, tennis fans criticized his behavior, labeling it as embarrassing and immature. De Minaur’s impressive play and composure on the court highlighted the stark difference in their performances, setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead in the tournament.