Stefanos Tsitsipas was eliminated at the start of the ATP 500 Japan Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas was eliminated at the start of the ATP 500 Japan Open tournament in Tokyo, which has prize money of almost 2 million USD. The top-ranked Greek tennis player lost to qualifier Alex Michelsen (USA) by 1-2 (6:3, 1:6, 2:6).

Stefanos Tsitsipas started strongly and raced to a 5:1 lead on his way to victory in the first set, but then took just 2 of the next 13 games and that proved crucial to the 20-year-old American’s success. His defeat is welcome for Grigor Dimitrov, who despite withdrawing from the tournament in Beijing, will retain his place in the top 10.

The 2022 runner-up Frances Tiafoe (USA) was also eliminated in the first round. The seventh-seeded Tiafoe lost to another American – Brandon Nakashima by 0-2 (5:7, 3:6). Nakashima, who finished with 12 aces, broke back at 2:3 to break back in the first set, then closed out the match with a run of three straight games in the second.

At the same time, Ben Shelton (USA) successfully started the defense of his title from ATP 500 Japan Open in Tokyo. The 8th-seeded American tennis player defeated his compatriot Reilly Opelka by 2-1 (3:6, 6:1, 6:4). Reilly Opelka, who served 12 aces, won the first set with a run of four straight games, but lost six straight in the second and Ben Shelton tied the score. In the decisive third part, there was only one break in the tenth game. For a place in the quarterfinals, the American will face Mariano Navone (Argentina), who eliminated Luciano Darderi (Italy) by 2-0 (6:4, 6:4).

Host representative Yoshihito Nishioka delighted the home fans with success over Felix Auger Aliassime (Canada) by 2-1 (7:6(5), 3:6, 7:6(5)) after fending off two match points on his own serve at 5:6 in the third set.