Mannarino def. Michelsen to win Newport title

NEWPORT, R.I. — Second-seeded Adrian Mannarino defeated teenager Alex Michelsen6-2, 6-4, to win the Corridor of Fame Open last on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Frenchman relied on his constant play and possibly some jitters from the 18-year-old American to seize his third ATP tour title.

“Tennis is an actual psychological sport,” Mannarino mentioned. “Even in case you’re lacking however making an attempt to go for winners, it is giving some data to your opponent that you simply’re not going to choke and you are going to take slightly little bit of an opportunity in some video games.”

Beneath shiny blue skies with a slight breeze and temperatures within the low 80s, Mannarino broke within the fifth and seventh video games of a primary set that lasted simply 27 minutes.

The set closed when Mannarino hit a forehand passing shot down the road.

“I am feeling fairly fortunate that I acquired throughout this week,” mentioned Mannarino, who performed on Newport’s grass courts for the tenth time however made his first last within the shadows of the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame.

Enjoying in simply his second ATP tour occasion after capturing a Challenger title in Chicago final week, Michelsen seemed considerably tight early, hitting a handful of unforced errors.

“I performed fairly poorly from the beginning,” he mentioned.

Michelsen was trying to turn into the youngest ATP tour occasion champion this season, and the youngest American to win a title since Corridor of Famer Andy Roddick gained Houston in 2001.

“It was a extremely good week. I acquired a ton of factors,” mentioned the California native, who dedicated and signed to play faculty tennis with Georgia however mentioned he’d should reassess when he returns residence.

“I used to be right here alone, making an attempt to determine it out,” he mentioned. “I believe I did fairly effectively. It was an excellent week, very constructive week, not too many negatives, for positive.”

He seemed stronger to begin the second set, breaking within the second sport, however Mannarino broke again the subsequent sport, hitting a backhand previous Michelsen down the road because the teenager was on the internet trying to hit a return.

“I knew it was going to be much more about rallies and that is often once I really feel assured,” Mannarino mentioned. “It is all about what you are going to present to your opponent, and at the moment I used to be making an attempt to make him suppose I used to be comfy.”

Mannarino took management, breaking within the ninth sport of the second set. The 1 hour, 22-minute match ended when Michelsen hit a backhand return broad on the ultimate level.

The match is held at the side of enshrinement ceremonies into the Corridor.

Esther Vergeer, 42, a dominant wheelchair participant that captured 21-time Grand Slam singles titles and a seven-time Paralympic gold medalist, led the category of 2023. She was inducted Saturday night with American Rick Draney, 61, who gained 12 singles titles and 6 in doubles earlier than the Grand Slam period of wheelchair tennis.