Tomas Machac takes down #NextGenATP Alex Michelsen to reach the final four in Tokyo | ATP Tour

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Machac downs #NextGenATP Michelsen, reaches the last four in Tokyo

Humbert advances to ATP 500 semi-finals after Draper retires

September 29, 2024

Will Tomas Machac be driving in time to lift his first ATP Tour trophy in Tokyo?

The 23-year-old looked like he was in the Japanese capital, blowing past #NextGenATP superstar Alex Michelsen on Sunday. With a stylish 7-6(2), 6-3 victory, Machac is in his second ATP Tour semi-final at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships.

Machac hit 34 winners according to Infosys ATP statistics during their one hour and 35 minute clash, eventually edging past Michelsen in the first exchange. The Czech also fired eight aces, won 88 percent of first game points and faced just one break point.

Success is unlocked 🔓🔓

Tomas Machac defeated Michelsen 7-6(2) 6-3 to reach his first ATP 500 semi-final.@japanopentennis | #kinoshitajotennis pic.twitter.com/UXMXHQsK9g

– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 29, 2024

It was a commanding performance that marked his rise to No. 34 in the PIF ATP Rankings, backing up strong wins against Alexei Popyrin and Tommy Paul earlier in the week.

Michelsen, however, still holds second place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and finds himself in a strong position to secure a spot at the Next Gen ATP Finals for the second year in a row.

In the last four, Machac will face Ugo Humbert after Jack Draper was forced to withdraw from their clash with the leading Frenchman 7-5, 2-1.

The 22-year-old, who produced an encouraging US Open semi-final performance earlier this month, took time off to be ill with a stomach injury, but it didn’t work out as he called time on their first Lexus ATP Head2Head tournament. .

Humbert is into his 16th ATP Tour semi-final, seeking his third title of 2024 after wins in Marseille and Dubai took him to No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings.