Sat Jan 18 02:20:00 UTC 2025: ## American Upstarts Michelsen and Shelton Eye Australian Open Round of 16
**Melbourne, Australia – January 16, 2025** – Two young American tennis stars, Alex Michelsen and Ben Shelton, are poised for potential upsets in the Australian Open’s third round. Michelsen, ranked 42nd, will face Russian Karen Khachanov, while Shelton, the 21st seed, will take on Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.
Michelsen, a 20-year-old, is riding high after a stunning first-round victory over world No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite Khachanov’s strong historical performance in Melbourne, his recent form has been inconsistent, making this a highly anticipated match. Experts predict a closely fought contest, with Michelsen favored to win.
Shelton, a former University of Florida standout, faces a tougher challenge against Musetti, who has won their two previous encounters. While Shelton boasts an impressive serve, his consistency needs improvement. Musetti, despite a less-than-stellar start to the year, presents a significant hurdle. The match is expected to be decided by small margins, potentially going to a deciding fifth set.
Both matches promise thrilling tennis, with the potential for significant upsets that could shake up the men’s draw.
First Piper 