Alex Michelsen rivals a 24-year-old Andy Roddick record after defeating Learner Tien at the Canadian Open

Alex Michelsen has beaten compatriot Learner Tien to advance at the Canadian Open.

The 20-year-old, who has a ‘world-class backhand,’ defeated his good friend 6-3 6-3 on Saturday evening in Toronto.

The big-serving American is one of many young American male stars on the ATP Tour, alongside the likes of Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and his most recent opponent, Learner Tien.

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

American men have struggled in recent times. There has been a 22-year period without a single American man winning a Grand Slam title.

However, Michelsen has rivalled America’s most recent Grand Slam singles champion, Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open.

Alex Michelsen is the youngest American man to reach the Canadian Open quarter-finals since Andy Roddick

Back in 2001, a young Andy Roddick was establishing himself as one of the best players on the ATP Tour.

Roddick, aged just 18 years, was not expected to go far at the tournament. However, he shocked the field by reaching the quarter-finals.

Fast forward to 2025 and Alex Michelsen has taken the tour by storm, defeating a number of notable players on his way to the quarter-final stage.

As per OptaAce, Alex Michelsen is the youngest American to reach the Men’s Singles quarter-final at the Canadian Open since Andy Roddick in 2001.

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Michelsen achieved the feat at 20 years and 336 days, while Roddick reached the quarter-final stage at 18 years and 334 days.

Michelsen will look to create more history in the quarter-finals, where he will face Russian star Karen Khachanov.

Andy Roddick’s 2001 Canadian Open run

Andy Roddick was unseeded heading into the 2001 Canadian Open.

The future US Open champion and 2009 Wimbledon finalist defeated former world number 36 Lee Hyung-taik in the first round, setting up a clash against 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya.

Moya, a former world number one, was stunned by Roddick. The American secured victory in three sets, winning 6-3 5-7 7-5.

9 Jan 2001: Andy Roddick of USA in action during his match against Bohdan Ulihrach of Czech Republic during day four of the Adidas International held at the Sydney International Tennis Centre in Sydney, Australia. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: ScottBarbour/Getty Images

Roddick followed this result up with a victory over the number one seed, Gustavo Kuerten. Roddick won 6-7 6-4 6-2.

Roddick was then stopped in his tracks by Romania’s Andrei Pavel, who went on to win the tournament despite also being unseeded.

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