Fasten your seatbelts for the all-American clash in the QF of the 2025 ASB Classic. Two young guns, Alex Michelsen and Nishesh Basavareddy are all set to take on each other to secure a spot in the semis. Although Michelsen is just 20 years old, he has gained quite a lot of experience by playing on the main Tour in the last twelve months. Speaking on his compatriot, Basavareddy once said, “I’ve played Alex a couple of times in Challengers, and watching his success this year has really inspired me.” However, both these players will now have to keep their camaraderie aside and go fist-to-fist with each other. Who is the favorite in this enticing encounter, though?

Alex Michelsen vs Nishesh Basavareddy: Preview

Alex Michelsen reached quite a few QFs last season. However, his most impressive performance came in the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Michelsen reached the final over there, but he was defeated by his compatriot Marcos Giron in a three-set thriller. After that, he also reached the final at the Winston-Salem Open, but even from there, he had to return empty-handed! Then he made two SF runs at the Moselle Open and Next Gen ATP Finals before kick-starting his campaign in 2025. In Brisbane, he reached the R16, but here in Adelaide, he has been quite impressive so far. Alex Michelsen has already secured two wins here. Can he get his third win against Basavareddy?

Michelsen is entering this contest after his two-set win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonegoin the R16. On the other hand, Nishesh Basavareddy defeated Franceso Comesana (ARG) in the first match by 6-2,6-2, and then in the second, he defeated Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in three sets. He entered this tournament following his R32 exit at the hands of Gael Monfils (FRA) in the Brisbane International. Nishesh Basavareddy couldn’t make a significant mark on the main Tour in 2024. However, he reached 7 finals and won 2 titles on the Challenger Tour. Now, it’ll be interesting to see if he can deliver on the big stages in this season.

Michelsen vs Basavareddy: Head-to-Head

Alex Michelsen has faced Nishesh Basavareddy three times in his career before. Their most recent meeting was at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, and guess what? Currently, he has a lead of 2-1 in the H2H scoreline against Basavareddy.

• 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals Round Robin: Michelsen 2-4,4-3(5),4-3(4),4-2.
• 2023 Knoxville QF: Michelsen 6-3,6-3.
• 2023 Fairfield QF: Basavareddy 6-3,6-3.

Prediction: Michelsen to win in three sets

Alex Michelsen’s experience of playing on the main Tour will give him a slight edge over a relatively inexperienced campaigner like Nishesh Basavareddy. Having said that, we’re already aware of the threat that both these players can come up with on their day. So, we’re expecting this match to go a little deeper. Alex Michelsen (41) had a win-loss record of 35-31 in the 2024 season, whereas Nishesh Basavareddy had a record of just 1-3 on the main Tour.

Both these players will be desperate to get some wins in their bags to gain some momentum for the upcoming big events. If we take a look at their playing styles, Nishesh Basavareddy is known for his aggressive style of play. He often relies on powerful groundstrokes and quick footwork, allowing him to dominate rallies. Apart from that, Basavareddy’s incredible ability to adapt between hard and clay surfaces showcases his versatility. So, surely, he’s the one to watch out for in the near future, but in this match, we feel Michelsen has the real edge.

Alex Michelsen can be a very tricky opponent to face. His strong two-handed backhand, along with an equally powerful forehand, can be really effective on this surface. Michelsen loves coming to the net and finishing off the points. Apart from that, he is also a very good server, especially on the first serve. So, Alex Michelsen seems to be having more weapons to win this battle at the moment than the 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy!