Alex Michelsen beats Brandon Nakashima

Alex Michelsen defeated Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Grandstand, advancing to the U.S. Open third round. The 22-year-old American closed out the match in straight sets and left the Grandstand with his deepest run at Flushing Meadows to date. (usopen.org) (tennismajors.com) ### How did Michelsen win the match’s key moments? Alex Michelsen held serve through the closing stages of every set and converted break chances when they mattered, according to match reports and statistics. The U.S. (usopen.org) Open described the victory as a “methodical second-round upset,” noting Michelsen’s control on return points and ability to prevent late-match swings. (usopen.org) ### What was Brandon Nakashima’s form coming into the match? Brandon Nakashima entered the encounter on Sept. 2 seeded No. 16 and with the most hard-court wins on tour this year, a tally highlighted by Tennis Majors and others. (tennismajors.com) Nakashima’s recent run on hard courts had made him one of the tournament’s form players, but he was unable to convert that momentum into a win against Michelsen. ### How significant is this result for Michelsen’s U.S. Open record? Alex Michelsen’s victory on Sept. 2 gave the 22-year-old his first US Open appearance in the third round, a milestone highlighted by tournament coverage. (usopen.org) The win marks another step in a season that has seen Michelsen move into the top 50 of the ATP rankings and pick up notable victories on hard courts. (tennismajors.com) ### Who will Michelsen play next and when is that match scheduled? Daniel Merida, the Spaniard who upset No. 23 seed Andrey Rublev in the second round, is slated to meet Alex Michelsen in the third round on Sept. 4, the U.S. (usopen.org) Open’s announced day three order of play shows. The US Open preview of Merida noted his rise from No. 163 in January to within the top 40, and identified the Michelsen match as his immediate next challenge. (tennismajors.com) ### Did Novak Djokovic’s early exit affect Michelsen’s section of the draw? Novak Djokovic’s first-round loss to Mariano Navone left one quarter of the draw without its No. 4 seed, a vacancy reporters said broadened the pathway for lower-seeded players in that section. (tennis.com) The draw opening was noted in post-match coverage as context for Michelsen’s progression, but the on-court result against Nakashima determined his immediate advancement. (usopen.org) The US Open third-round matches are scheduled across Sept. 4–5, with the official order of play released each evening by the tournament; Michelsen’s match versus Daniel Merida is listed for Sept. 4 on the USTA site. (usopen.org 1) (usopen.org 2) (usopen.org 3) (usopen.org 4)