Michelsen manages Merida Aguilar 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 for maiden US Open 4th round

Alex Michelsen of Aliso Viejo, California, is still seeking his first tour-level title, having made three finals to date. With controlled aggression, athleticism, and laser focus, he has reached the 4th round of his home slam for the first time.

On his main draw debut, Daniel Merida Aguilar from Madrid, Spain, knocked out former world #5 Andrey Rublev in four sets in the previous round. Although he was noticeably limping after the first set, he competed well despite his limited movement.

Michelsen, just twenty-two, is currently ranked #46, having achieved a career-high rank of 30 in July of 2025. Merida, who will turn twenty-two at the end of September, is currently ranked at a career-high of 39 following his first tour-level title in Umag this past July.

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This was their third tour-level meeting, having split the previous two. On court 17 with the lights already on, the match commenced at 6:38pm. Merida won the toss and elected to receive.
Michelsen struck two winners, including a 121mph ace out wide, and held to 15 while Merida hit two outstanding forehand winners and held to love to level. The American faced two deuce points but held for 2-1 while the Spaniard opened with a double fault but hit two incredible backhand winners to level.

Michelsen served and volleyed on the opening point but was passed with a backhand down the line. He faced break point and deuce following two unforced errors but held for 3-2. Merida hit an ace up the tee and a backhand half-volley winner on game point for parity.

Michelsen opened the seventh with his second ace but faced double break point and dumped serve with a netted backhand. The Spaniard, serving with new balls, gifted his second double fault and gave back the break with two forehand errors. Michelsen maintained his focus and made 4/5 first serves, including an ace on game point to level at four.

Merida, serving to stay in the set struck a spectacular inside-out forehand and held to 30 while Michelsen hit his fourth ace and held to 15 for 6-5. Merida, serving to stay in the set and force the breaker, hit three consecutive winners, including a 125mph ace down the middle.

While Michelsen donated a double fault, Merida struck his third ace. The American led 5-3 then 6-4 and clinched the tiebreak 7-5 with his fifth ace. It was difficult to discern what was causing Merida discomfort while he repeatedly chirped at himself as well as his box. It seemed he had recognized the opportunity before him as the draw opened up as the seeds continued to fall.

He served first in the second and, with two groundstroke winners held to 30 while Michelsen gifted three consecutive errors, faced deuce and break point yet held to level. Merida missed 4/5 first serves but, with three winners including two aces, led 2-1 while Michelsen made 5/5 first serves and struck two consecutive backhand winners to level.

Merida held easily to 15 for 3-2, and Michelsen did the same. The Spaniard opened the seventh with two consecutive backhand errors and dumped serve following three consecutive unforced errors. Michelsen displayed a sense of clarity and purpose as he navigated his opponent’s erratic play.

Although he committed three unforced errors and faced double break point and deuce, he consolidated the break with a 136mph ace up the tee. Merida serving to stay in the set, gifted his fourth double fault and faced deuce but held for 4-5 while Michelsen made 4/4 first serves and sealed the set at love.

Merida left the court following the conclusion of the second set to change his attire. As a slew of unforced errors flew off his racquet, he faced three break points and dropped serve following three additional double faults.

Michelsen held at love to consolidate the break for 2-0. Merida, serving with new balls, held to 15 with his seventh ace while Michelsen opened the fourth with his seventh ace and, with two additional winners, held easily to 15.

The Spaniard opened and closed the fifth with crisp crosscourt backhand volleys and held easily to 15 for 2-3 while Michelsen hit three additional winners including his 8th ace to hold at love.
Merida hit a 120mph ace up the tee and though he faced two deuce points, held for 3-4 with a colossal crosscourt backhand. Michelsen opened the eighth with a stunning forehand down the line and held for 5-3 with an amazing overhead smash. Merida, serving to stay in the match, opened with a netted backhand half-volley and conceded it with a mishit forehand.

It was an unfortunate ending to a match that held much promise. The first set, including the tiebreak, was riveting. While Merida was certainly managing some type of injury, he never called for the trainer or took a medical time-out. Despite the significant dip in Merida’s level, Michelsen competed at a supremely high level, which should serve him well as he progresses for the first time to the second week of the US Open. He finished with 6 aces, 1 double fault and won 76% of first and 63% of second serve points. He won 4/16 return games, saved 4/5 break points, and converted 4/7.  
He will take on the 27th seed Tomas Etcheverry for the first time for a coveted spot in the final eight. The twenty-seven-year-old from Argentina is currently ranked #32, having reached a career high of 25 this past May. He too has reached the US Open round of 16 for the first time.