Dani Mérida’s overwhelming debut at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz He is the leader of Spanish tennis, he demands a lot of attention whether he is fighting for titles on the court or recovering from a long wrist injury. At 23 years old, his quality and track record support this interest. In his absence the figure of Rafa Jodar, of only 19 and sometimes touching the top-10.
It hasn’t made as much noise but it’s starting to generate it on its own. Dani Merida21 years old and world number 39. A privileged position for someone who had not debuted in the top-100 until this season, the season of his confirmation. With Jódar, among the revelations of this campaign.
Recent clay-court champion in Umag, overcoming his first finalist knock in Bucharest, he made Montréal’s quarterfinals on the previous hard-court tour before the US Open. Also in his first steps on this surface at the highest ATP Tour level, he was seen with the best.
He confirmed it in his debut at the US Open. He entered stomping, overwhelming a physical wonder, the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, 34 years old and number 122, although in his best times he was number 31.
Mérida took command from the beginning, and did not let go. He beat his rival 6-4, 6-4 and 6-2 in 1h.44′. Resolute towards the second round, against the Russian Andrey Rublev or the croatian Marin Cilicthe latter champion of the tournament in 2014.
The Madrid native, from CT Chamartín as Jódar and Martin Landaluce, Although since he was a child, training in Alicante, where he continues, he added his second Grand Slam triumph, after opening his positive record at Wimbledon. He did not achieve it in his debut in this category, at Roland Garros.
The leader of the best returner on the ATP Tour continues to take steps forward, under the watchful eye of David Ferrer, captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, which is counting on him for the Chile-Spain tie, in Santiago on September 19 and 20 on clay. With a place in the Final at 8 Bologna as the objective.
