The dream continues.

Michelsen is at home and dreaming of doing something big. Everything is possible when you see how open it is, especially since he still has a winnable round while Etcheverry is playing for his family this week and feels almost possessed.

Michelsen got his revenge against a slightly diminished Merida, but one who was still hard for him to contain, because the Spaniard really has an annoying game that causes huge problems for the American. I think it helped Michelsen a lot to see that the Spaniard was suffering and that he wasn’t at his best level. He just dug in all match long and patiently waited for his opponent’s mistakes. It’s a game plan that worked, but one that isn’t very typical for him, or at least not usually to such an extent. We should see him much more aggressive and proactive in a match‑up that’s going to be very different tomorrow.

Etcheverry doesn’t have the same power as Merida at all, and doesn’t really have the same desire to attack. He’s someone who’s going to build his point, work it, and finish when the time is right. Which, I think, is less troublesome for Michelsen. But Etcheverry’s game does serious damage over the long haul, and this kind of format really makes him shine. It’s no surprise to see him winning matches again with a good level. Even if, for now, I feel he’s only won matches he was supposed to win, and against profiles that suit him. This next match is, on paper, tough for him in terms of level of play, but also in terms of match‑up. He really has a disastrous record against players who can take time away from him and follow into the net..

For a first meeting, both sides will have to adapt quickly. But for me, what we should see tomorrow is pretty clear if the players show up with the same level they’ve had since the start of the tournament. That is, a fairly aggressive Michelsen, interesting in his ability to break the cross‑court patterns in particular or to come forward to the net. Etcheverry should struggle in the short patterns, but he has the mental and physical edge in my opinion, on top of being the underdog with nothing to lose. It’s always the same issue in this kind of match‑up. Sure, the match‑up favors Michelsen, but if it starts to last a bit too long and he loses his rhythm, it can very quickly swing in Etcheverry’s favor