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Learner Tien defeated close friend Alex Michelsen to reach the NextGen ATP Finals title match on Saturday but admitted he “hated” having had to face his American compatriot. The 19-year-old left-hander ranked 122 in the world, came through 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1 in a semifinal which boasted tennis legend Rafael Nadal amongst the spectators. “I can’t put it into words right now,” said Tien who hit 21 winners past the 41st-ranked Michelsen.
“I am really happy with the win but I hate it against him, but that is just how it goes. I started smiling when I came out here and saw him on the other side of the net, but I am really happy to get through and think I played really well,” he added. Tien will face Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, the lowest-ranked player in the draw at 145, who eased into the final by seeing off France’s Luca Van Assche 4-2, 4-2, 4-1.
ALSO READ | Jenson Brooksby on living with autism: It’s just something I don’t want to have to keep to myself Fonseca is the second youngest man to make the NextGen final after current world number one and two-time major winner Jannik Sinner who took the title in 2019. The Brazilian has won all of his four matches in Jeddah this week, a run which included the biggest win of his career against 20th-ranked Arthur Fils of France. “Today was a great match.
I played really solidly,” said Fonseca after his one-hour victory. “He didn’t have too many chances because I was playing so aggressively and making all the shots. There is one more match to go, and I hope I can for it,” he added.
Sunday’s final will feature the two youngest players in the eight-man field with Fonseca having the advantage of already beating Tien during the group stages. Comments Related Topics Next Gen ATP Finals Latest on Sportstar.
