By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 23, 2023
Adrian Mannarino claimed his third ATP title, defeating first-time finalist Alex Michelsen at the Hall of Fame Open.
Photo Source: TTV
France’s Adrian Mannarino stopped Alex Michelsen’s bid to become the youngest title winner on the ATP Tour on Sunday at the Hall of Fame Open, registering a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the 18-year-old for his third career ATP title.
35-year-old Mannarino won 81 percent of his first serve points to claim his second career grass court title. He improves to 69-46 lifetime on the surface that has always served his flat groundstrokes, soft hands and backhand slice well.
Michelsen, playing in his first ATP main draw, is the youngest American in the Top 200, and will rise 51 spots to No. 139 in Monday’s rankings. He was bidding to become the fifth player to win a Challenger and ATP title in back-to-back weeks, after raising the trophy in Chicago last week.
“I’d like to congratulate Alex for a great couple of weeks,” Mannarino said. “He's playing really well and he has such a bright future ahead of him.”