Lorenzo Sonego defeats Alex Michelsen to win Winston-Salem Open

Field Level Media|published: Sat 24th August, 20:07 2024

Aug 6, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) hits a backhand against Tallon Griekspoor (NED) (not pictured) in first round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Lorenzo Sonego defeated Alex Michelsen in straight sets to take the final of the Winston-Salem Open in North Carolina on Saturday.

It was Sonego's first tournament championship in nearly two full years.

The No. 10 seed, Sonego dumped No. 11 seed Michelsen 6-0, 6-3 in a little over an hour to earn his first championship since winning the Moselle Open in France in September 2022.

The Italian won 32 of 41 total service points (78 percent), notching 19 winners compared to Michelsen's six. Sonego's net play was particularly dominant, as he took 11 of 14 chances (79 percent) compared to 8 of 18 by Michelsen (44 percent).

Michelsen, 19, is a California native who was searching for his first career title. He was just 4 for 31 in first-return points won (13 percent) in getting dropped in one hour, four minutes.

--Field Level Media