Rising American stars Tien, Alex Michelsen, and Nishesh Basavareddy will all be playing at the Houston ATP 250 on Thursday. Tien and Basavareddy will face each other, while Michelsen faces Alexei Popyrin.
(3) Student Tien vs. (WC) Nishesh Basavareddy
Tien and Basavareddy will meet for the fifth time in the first round of their professional careers when they fight for a place in the quarterfinals of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship on Thursday. All four of their previous meetings have gone Tien’s way – with a pair of Challengers in 2024 and at ATP level twice in 2025.
Their encounters have come on outdoor hard courts, indoor hard courts, and grass, so Tien will want to finish sweeping the clay. The top shouldn’t make any difference, as both guys are complete novices in the red stuff. Basavareddy did well to beat fellow college standout Liam Draxl 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on Tuesday, but Tien is in much better form now and has more experience going into the business end of major tour tournaments.
Select: Merge to 2
(7) Alex Michelsen vs. Alexei Popyrin
Michelsen is coming off a stellar performance throughout the Sunshine Double, having reached the fourth round at Indian Wells and Miami. The 21-year-old has won 13 matches this season, including a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Coleman Wong on Tuesday. Although Michelsen doesn’t have much experience on clay, he took the Challenger title on slow clay last spring in Estoril.
Next up for the Americans on Thursday is their first game against Popyrin, who is in the midst of a major slump. The 45th-ranked Aussie is 3-8 this season and 3-13 in his last 16 matches dating back to the 2025 US Open. Popyrin managed to get past Patrick Kypson 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the opening round of Houston, but knocking out Michelsen is an entirely different proposition. Count on the world number 35 who continues to collect points.
Pick: Michelsen at 2
