Michelsen wins to make it an All-American quarter-final line-up in Houston
Michelsen will play countryman Frances Tiafoe, the second seed, for a spot in the last four
Alex Michelsen, Auckland 2025
American Alex Michelsen, the No 5 seed, moved into the last eight of the Houston Open by beating French lucky loser Adrian Mannarino 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 at River Oaks Country Club on Thursday.
The win means that all eight quarter-final berths are taken by American players, assuring a home champion at the event.
This marks the first time in the Open Era at Houston that Americans have taken all eight quarter-final spots in an ATP event and also the first time since Orlando 1991 that the same has happened at an ATP Tour event.
Michelsen, ranked No 34, will play countryman Frances Tiafoe, the second seed, next. The complete quarter-final line-up is as below:
- Jenson Brooksby v Aleksander Kovacevic
- (1) Tommy Paul v Colton Smith
- (4) Brandon Nakashima v Chris Eubanks
- (2) Frances Tiafoe v (5) Alex Michelsen
The 20-year-old Michelsen won against Learner Tien (6-4, 6-2) in the previous round of the tournament.
Earlier in the week, Mannarino, ranked No 144, won against German Yannick Hanfmann (7-6 (5), 6-3).
Houston ATP 250, other second-round matches (River Oaks Country Club, clay, USD 680,140):
- Frances Tiafoe beat Adam Walton: 7-5, 6-3
- Christopher Eubanks beat Kei Nishikori (8): 6-1 ret.
- Brandon Nakashima (4) beat Mackenzie McDonald: 6-1, 7-5
- Aleksandar Kovacevic beat Corentin Denolly (Q): 6-3, 6-3
- Tommy Paul (1) beat Cristian Garin (WC): 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
- Colton Smith (Q) beat Ethan Quinn (WC): 6-3, 6-4
- Jenson Brooksby (Q) beat Alejandro Tabilo (3): 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6)
