19-year-old American youngster tipped for very ‘bright future’ after he reaches his second ATP Tour final

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Marcos Giron beat 19-year-old countryman Alex Michelsen in all-American Final in Newport.

America’s Marcos Giron is playing his best tennis in 2024, proving that age is just a number with the 30-year-old overcoming next-gen star Alex Michelsen in three sets.

Michelsen, still just 19, has played some phenomenal tennis in Newport, with the youngster trying to become the youngest American ATP Tour champion (and first teenager) since Andy Roddick in Houston in 2002.

Giron, who played his college tennis at UCLA, has endured two hip surgeries in 2015 and 2016 in a career that has never quite lived up to expectations.

This year however, the veteran has enjoyed wins over Andy Murray, Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, and Matteo Berrettini, and reached the finals in Dallas and Newport.

Marcos Giron heaps praise on Alex Michelsen after his impressive final display

Michelsen may well rue a handful of missed opportunities, with the 19-year-old just a shot away from the title before Giron landed an inch-perfect ace down the tee to regain control.

Michelsen had never won a tour-level match before he made the final in 2023, with the teenager coming in even stronger in 2024 as he entered the final without having faced a break-point.

Giron was the first to praise his opponent during his on-court interview via X: “Honestly, Alex – unbelievable tournament. Unbelievable match. It’s unreal. 

“Since 19, we’ve been practicing together on court. He’s so mature. He’s so good. He’s got such a bright future. Happy to get the win now while I can.”

Who is Alex Michelsen?

Standing at just under two meters, the frizzy-haired teenager has flourished in Newport showing off both an impressive album of shots, as well as a cool, composed head.

With a very similar build to eventual Melbourne champion Jannik Sinner, the 19-year-old made the third round at the Australian Open in 2024 beating the 32nd seed Jiri Lehecka in the process.

At the age of 19, he became the youngest American player to win a match at master’s level since Taylor Fritz and Tiafoe, who were both winners at that same age in Miami in 2017

He has so far toppled two top 15 players including Alex de Minaur and countryman Fritz, with the young American undoubtedly limbering up for a stellar US Open in September.