In a stunning display of talent, wild card entry Abdullah Shelbayh secured his first win at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM, showcasing his immense potential on Wednesday night.
Despite being the lowest-ranked player at the tournament, the 20-year-old Jordanian, currently at a career-high No. 185 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, delivered a remarkable performance against Alex Michelsen. The match, which ended 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-0, marked Shelbayh’s fourth Top 100 victory. After Michelsen, ranked World No. 97, leveled the match with a powerful second set, Shelbayh dominated the final two sets, displaying exceptional ball control and strategic court movement.
This significant win positions Shelbayh at 1-1 for the week, placing him in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals from the Red Group.
Reflecting on his performance, Shelbayh expressed his gratitude, stating, “Having the opportunity to play here now to finish the year, I couldn’t ask for a better end to the year. I appreciate all the support throughout the week that I’ve been receiving already, of course throughout the year and from the Arab world especially.”
The Jeddah crowd was treated to an exciting match as Shelbayh impressed with his shotmaking, accumulating a total of 26 winners, including seven aces. His next challenge will be against Hamad Medjedovic on Thursday, as Michelsen faces off against Luca Van Assche in the final group stage encounters. Shelbayh’s journey at the Next Gen ATP Finals is undeniably one to watch, as he continues to make waves in the world of tennis.
Leave A Comment