Alex Michelsen was in disbelief after reaching his maiden ATP final in Newport.
The 18 year-old, who is still playing college tennis, is into his first ATP final in Newport.
After notching up several top wins, Michelsen defeated John Isner in the semi-finals 7-6(6) 6-4 to reach the final.
This comes a week after Michelsen won his first Challenger event in Chicago, where he defeated Kei Nishikori on his way to winning the title.
Speaking after the match Michelsen couldn’t quite believe he was into his first ATP final, “I think I’m going to need a month [to process this],” Michelsen told the ATP website.
“It’s going to need a little bit for sure. It doesn’t feel like I’m in the final, but that’s probably a good thing. That’s why I’m playing so loose.
“I got a little fortunate to win that first-set breaker and then I think I caught him sleeping a little bit [early in the second set], and then just held my serve.”
Now Michelsen looks to take one step closer towards the top 100 as he takes on Adrian Mannarino for the title.
As it stands Michelsen has jumped up 51 places to 139 in the world with a win seeing him rise to 118 in the world.
However it will be a tough task in the final as Mannarino is into his second final of this grass court season.
Mannarino is now the player with the sixth most active win on the tour on grass with 68 and will look to win his maiden Newport title.
