Alex Michelsen did not simply earn a spot in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. He did it without dropping a single set.
Michelsen is just third unseeded man in the Open Era to reach the quarters of a Grand Slam without the loss of a set. He joins Juan Martin Del Potro (2016 U.S. Open) and Tomas Martin Etcheverry (2023 French Open) on that extremely short list.
Ironically, Etcheverry was the opponent whom Michelsen defeated on Sunday to reach his first major quarterfinal. The 22-year-old American prevailed 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4 after two hours and 46 minutes. Michelsen preceded that result with routine victories over Federico Cina, Brandon Nakashima, and Daniel Merida. Both Nakashima and Merida had been in outstanding form prior to arriving in New York, but they were no match for Michelsen.
“I have been playing super well the whole week,” the world No. 46 assessed. (I) haven’t dropped a set yet. I have a lot of emotions right now. I’m a little bit short for words, but I’m super happy.
“Yes and no,” he responded when asked if he is surprised by this run. “I’m a little bit surprised just because I feel like my run-up form wasn’t super good coming into this tournament. And I say no because I have been working my ass off for I don’t know how many years playing this sport. I’m a little bit surprised that it came like this, but at the same time I always had a feeling it would come.”
Michelsen’s reward is a Tuesday afternoon showdown against compatriot Frances Tiafoe, who leads the head-to-head series 2-0.
who ya got?
I’m going to be seriously sad that one of them has to go after the next match, they’ve both done so well, personal best stuff. And if it’s a five-setter, then that will benefit the next opponent. Although that’s almost certainly Alcaraz so maybe academic.