JEDDAH: Learner Tien defeated close friend Alex Michelsen to reach the NextGen ATP Finals title match on Saturday.

The 19-year-old left-hander, ranked at 122 in the world, came through 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1 in a semi-final which boasted tennis legend Rafael Nadal amongst the spectators.

Tien will face Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, the lowest-ranked player in the draw, who eased into the final by seeing off France’s Luca Van Assche 4-2, 4-2, 4-1.

Fonseca is the second youngest man to make the NextGen final after current world number one 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.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024