Michelsen Settles In at Windy Delray Homecoming

Alex Michelsen stepped back onto the Delray Beach Open courts Monday, the ATP 250 hard-court event now feeling like his own backyard after relocating nearby. Gusty winds tugged at every shot, but the 21-year-old American stayed composed against sixth seed Valentin Vacherot, securing a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory in one hour and 28 minutes. This marked his second win over a Top 30 opponent this season and his third straight advancement to the second round here, building on last year’s semifinal surge.

Michelsen never faced a break point, a feat that underscores his serve reliability under pressure. Vacherot pressed with heavy topspin from the baseline, aiming inside-out forehands to exploit the breeze, but Michelsen redirected pace crosscourt, keeping rallies tight and forcing 28 unforced errors from the Monegasque. The hard court’s speed rewarded his flat returns, turning potential chaos into controlled exchanges.

“I live here now. I have an apartment 20 minutes from here, so it’s like my home tournament,” Michelsen said. “It’s great. I’m from California but I emigrated here. I absolutely love it here. Everyone’s so nice.”

That local edge sharpened his tiebreak focus in the opener, where an inside-out forehand winner sealed the set after Vacherot‘s net cord betrayed him. As winds intensified, Michelsen mixed underspin backhands to skid low, disrupting rhythm and opening angles for down-the-line passes. His 1–2 pattern—wide serve followed by deep approach—kept the seed pinned, easing into a second-set break that felt inevitable.

Wind tests yield tactical edge

The swirling conditions at Alex Michelsen‘s adopted home turned the match into a chess game on hard courts, where quick feet and cleaner striking prevailed. Vacherot’s aggressive inside-in attempts often caught the gusts, sailing wide, while Michelsen’s slice served as a reset button, buying time to reset footing. This adaptability, honed in Florida’s variable weather, positions him to handle similar tests deeper in the draw.

Post-match, the crowd’s cheers carried a familiar warmth, locals sensing a player who’s invested in the community. Michelsen’s error count stayed under 15, his first-serve percentage hovering near 80, transforming wind-whipped uncertainty into steady momentum. it’s a performance that eases the weight of expectations for America’s rising generation, especially after a 2025 that ended with promise unfulfilled here.

Majestic Michelsen

Last year’s semi-finalist takes out [6] Vacherot 7-6(4), 6-4#DBOpen | 🇺🇸 Delray Beach pic.twitter.com/UN60yGG1Hh
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 16, 2026

Home comfort fuels next challenge

With his first ATP head-to-head win over Vacherot in the books, Michelsen eyes a second-round clash against Sebastian Korda or Mackenzie McDonald, both versed in these sun-drenched conditions. Korda’s booming serve might demand deeper returns, while McDonald’s all-court versatility could pull him into net battles—either way, Michelsen’s baseline grit offers a counter. The #DBOpen faithful, buzzing from Day 1, anticipate a local run that could echo last year’s depth.

Elsewhere, Terence Atmane snapped a four-month ATP winless streak, grinding past Patrick Kypson 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in a display of resilience. Qualifier Coleman Wong stunned Nuno Borges 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, his backhand winners slicing through the draw. These results on February 16, 2026, infuse the tournament with American energy, setting the stage for Michelsen to channel his roots into a breakthrough week.

pic.twitter.com/UN60yGG1Hh captures the moment, but it’s Michelsen’s quiet command that lingers, promising more as the Delray Beach Open heats up.