In Riad the Frenchman born in 2004 with a mother from Bergamo, a student of Santopadre, beats the Chinese born in 2005 4-3 2-4 4-1 4-3
Luigi Ansaloni
December 18 – 4.53pm – MILANO
The Next Gen Finals in Riyadh started with a surprise. It’s true, the winner of the first match, the “Frenchman from Italy” Luca Van Assche is a year older (born in 2004) than the Chinese Shang Juncheng (2005), but for most of the year it was the Asian who showing off around the circuit, establishing himself as one of the best prospects ever. Yet, ready to go, it was the student of Vincenzo Santopadre, Berrettini’s former coach, who achieved success, defeating Shang in four sets (4-3 2-4 4-1 4-3). The rules of the Next Gen, let’s remember, are different from those of “normal” tournaments, therefore shorter sets (best of 5), games without advantages and “valid” service tape. Van Assche, number 128 in the world, a mother from Bergamo and a fluent Italian, was able to play tie breaks better and in general seemed more brilliant than the Chinese, who was a little dull in the hot phases of the match.
the other match
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In the second match of the day session, the American Alex Michelsen, number 2 seeded in the tournament, born in 2004, beat his compatriot Basavareddy, 19 years old, with a few too many problems, in four sets (2-4 4-3 4- 3 4-2). There is a lot of good talk about Michelsen and it showed against Jannik Sinner, where he lost both times this year (and God forbid) but above all in Cincinnati he showed some excellent things against the current world number one. Long-awaited evening session, with perhaps the most intriguing challenge of the day, the one from the number 1 seed, the Frenchman Arthur Fils, 20 years old and growing in 2024, and the potential phenomenon like Joao Fonseca, Brazilian born in 2006 and top seed number 8. A lot of curiosity especially for the Brazilian. Before Fils-Fonseca, another great hope is on the field, the Czech Mensik (seeded number 3), against the American Learner Tien.
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