The Stats Zone
September 27 2024, 17:24 · Rob Esteva

Christopher O’Connell vs Alex Michelsen Preview & Prediction | 2024 Japan Open Tennis Championships | Round of 16

Christopher O’Connell vs Alex Michelsen Preview & Prediction | 2024 Japan Open Tennis Championships | Round of 16

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Two players who have both come through qualifying meet in the round of 16 as Christopher O’Connell meets Alex Michelsen for a place in the quarters

RANKING POINTS: ATP 500

START DATE/TIME: Saturday 28th September, 2024, UK – not before 4:20am / Friday 27th September, US ET – not before 11:20pm / Friday 27th September, US PT – not before 8:20pm

VENUE: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan

SURFACE: Outdoor hard

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

TICKETS: Visit this link for the latest Christopher O’Connell vs Alex Michelsen ticket information

CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL VS ALEX MICHELSEN PREDICTION

Australian Christopher O’Connell is enjoying an excellent week in Tokyo having come through two rounds of qualifying and beating Tomas Etcheverry in the first round. All three of his wins this week have come in straight sets and he must be delighted with the levels of his performances so far.

He now faces talented young American Alex Mickelsen who has also had to come through two rounds of qualifying and a tough first-round match to reach this stage. Mickelsen won both his qualifying matches in straight sets, but he had a tough test against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas In the first round.

Mickelsen lost the first set in that match, but responded by winning the next two sets as he dropped only three games to the Greek fourth seed. The 20-year-old will have taken huge confidence and belief from that victory.

These two players have never met on the ATP Tour and it makes for a fascinating match-up. O'Connell has been playing pretty well of late, but we like the fact that Mickelsen is well rested having not played any tennis since the US Open. He is looking extremely sharp and we fancy his chances a piece in the Australian in this one.

CHRISTOPHER O’CONNELL VS ALEX MICHELSEN TIP: ALEX MICHELSEN TO WIN