Dani Mérida advances to the US Open third round after defeating Andrey Rublev. The Spaniard now prepares for a crucial match against Alex Michelsen. The encounter will be broadcast live on Movistar Plus+.
Dani Mérida, 21, from Madrid, is set to play Alex Michelsen in the third round of the US Open tonight. After beating Andrey Rublev in four sets, Mérida is on the verge of his best Grand Slam result so far. The match is scheduled for Friday, September 4, not before 22:30 Spanish time. Tournament organizers confirmed the match as part of the men’s singles draw, and the schedule was updated earlier today.
Mérida, ranked 39th in the ATP, has shown he can come back from behind and play well on hard courts. His win over Rublev—6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4—highlighted his power from the baseline and his ability to read and return serve. Now he faces Michelsen, world number 46, who will have the New York crowd on his side. After coming back from a set down against Rublev, Mérida was called "Rublev’s conqueror" by usopen.org and several outlets, including MARCA, described it as the biggest win of his career.
Before this US Open meeting, the head-to-head between Mérida and Michelsen was tied at 1–1, with each player having won one of their previous encounters.
This is the third time Mérida and Michelsen have played each other as professionals, and each has won once before. Both come into the match with momentum: Mérida recently won the ATP 250 in Umag and had a strong North American tour, while Michelsen is playing his first US Open third round after beating Brandon Nakashima. Tennis Majors noted the significance of this step for Michelsen on home ground.
Spanish viewers can watch the match live on Movistar Plus+. MARCA.com will provide updates, and Radio MARCA will have live commentary. The broadcast reflects the growing interest in Spanish tennis as new players like Mérida reach later rounds at major tournaments. As reported earlier, Spanish players have already staged dramatic comebacks at this year’s US Open. Live data from tennis.com and 365scores.com showed the Mérida–Michelsen result was quickly updated in tournament records, drawing attention from international media.
Sources differ slightly on the players' rankings at the time of the match: some listed Mérida as world number 39 and Michelsen as number 46, highlighting the dynamic nature of live ATP rankings and the close competition between the two. (marca.com)
With more attention on Mérida, tonight’s match could be a turning point for his career. A win would be his best Grand Slam result and could signal a shift among Spain’s top players. Spanish broadcasters are giving his matches priority, reflecting his rising profile and the expectations around him. In a tournament where every round can change a player’s path, Mérida’s performance tonight will be closely watched by fans and analysts.
