Dani Mérida, brand new finalist in Umag, could imitate Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday
Alternating the challenger circuit, the previous phases and the main draws, Dani Meridaanother young Spanish tennis player, is emerging on the ATP tour, with more and more confidence to continue climbing positions in the world ranking. On Monday, in fact, he will take another leap and show off the best classification of his incipient career.
Making much less noise than their generation countrymen Rafa Jodar and Martin Landalucethe Madrid native, 21 years old and world number 82, got into trouble this Friday by keeping quiet in his second ATP final of the season after defeating the Argentine Roman Burruchaga (67th) 6-4 and 6-2 in 1h.21′ of play. In April, in Bucharestthe Argentine also deprived him of glory Mariano Navone.
The Bosnian Damir Dzumhur (108º) will be his rival in the fight on Saturday (7:00 p.m.), when Mérida will try to debut his record on the clay of Umag (Croatia). Dzumhur defeated the Slovakian in the other semifinal (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) Alex Molcan (101st), the unexpected executioner of the Malaga native Alexander Davidovich in the quarterfinals.
The Croatian tournament is full of Spanish champions, the last Carlos Alcaraz in 2021, curiously when the Murcian won his first ATP title and began a collection that already has 26 trophies, seven of them from grand slam. Mérida, therefore, will have the opportunity to imitate Alcaraz in that curiosity.
“The key has been to believe it, I had been playing well all week and I have managed to give my best level here,” said Mérida after his victory over Burruchaga.
The key has been to believe it, I had been playing well all week and I have managed to give my best level here. I already know what it’s like to play in a final, I’ll try to look at it differently and go for the title
Umag ATP Finalist
“When the match started, it looked like it was going to be tough because he was hitting the ball very hard, but I managed to adapt to that rhythm, I dominated the match and I trusted my tennis. I am very happy with the level at which I am playing all week, but especially today,” said the Spaniard.
“In the final I’m going to try to focus on myself, give my 100% and go for the final. I already know what it’s like to play in a final, I’ll try to look at it in a different way and go for the title,” added Mérida, who is playing in Umag for only his seventh big draw on the ATP tour.
