Alex Michelsen denies Valentin Vacherot participation in Delray Beach ‘home tournament’ ATP Tour event
delray beach
Michelson denies Vaccello participation in ‘home tournament’ Delray Beach
Atmane and Wong also advanced to ATP 250
February 16, 2026
Sam Hodder/Getty Images
Alex Michelson reaches the second round in Delray Beach for the third consecutive year (file photo).
Written by ATP Staff
Alex Michelson marked his return to the Delray Beach Open with a composed performance on Monday, overcoming gusty winds and testing opponents to advance in the ATP 250 hard-court event.
The 21-year-old American defeated sixth seed Valentin Vaccello 7-6(4), 6-4 to earn his second win over a top-30 opponent of the season and advance to the second round in Delray Beach for the third consecutive year. Michelsen, who reached the semifinals last year, faced no break points in the 1 hour and 28 minutes of the match, according to Infosys ATP statistics.
Great Michelson 🤸🪄
Last year’s semifinalists were eliminated. [6] Washlow 7-6(4), 6-4#DBOpen | 🇺🇸 Delray Beach pic.twitter.com/UN60yGG1Hh
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 16, 2026
“I live here now. I have an apartment 20 minutes away, so this is like my home game,” Michelson said. “It’s awesome. I’m from California, but I immigrated here. I absolutely love it here. Everyone is so nice.”
After winning his first Lexus ATP Head2Head match against Vacherot, Michelsen can look forward to a second-round match against either Sebastian Korda or Mackenzie McDonald.
In other action on day one in Delray Beach, Terence Atmane defeated Patrick Kypson 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 for his first ATP Tour victory since October, while qualifier Coleman Wong defeated Nuno Borges 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3. Borges) advanced.
