Michelsen Ends Lehecka's Turin Dream With Paris Comeback Win

Alex Michelsen has ended Jiri Lehecka's hopes of reaching the season-ending ATP Finals, coming from a set down to win 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Rolex Paris Masters on Tuesday. Lehecka took the opener in a tiebreak but could not hold off the American, who swept the second set and then held his nerve in the decider to close out a result with major consequences for the Race to Turin. With only three places at the November 15-22 finals in Turin still unclaimed, Lehecka's defeat removes him from the race entirely, joining a growing list of contenders whose seasons effectively ended in Paris. Five men are already qualified — Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev and Flavio Cobolli, who booked his debut place without playing after Rafael Jodar lost to Casper Ruud. For Michelsen, the win keeps his own Paris run alive and underlines his growing comfort on the indoor hard courts, while for Lehecka it is a harsh end to a season that had carried him to the brink of the sport's showpiece finale.