Spanish 21-year-old Daniel Mérida has reached the final of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open in Umag after a dominant performance against Argentine Román Andrés Burruchaga on Friday. Mérida won 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinal, continuing his impressive run without losing a single set all week.
This is Mérida’s second ATP final, having made his debut final in Bucharest earlier this year. Remarkably, he has only played seven ATP-level tournaments. ‘I feel better here than in Bucharest. My game is at a higher level. Not having to play qualifying matches has been a big help physically and mentally,’ Mérida said after the match.
Mérida revealed that his decision to play in Umag was influenced by watching compatriot Carlos Alcaraz compete there. ‘I watched many Alcaraz matches from Umag. When I was deciding between three tournaments, that video footage helped me choose. It turned out to be a good decision.’
With this win, Mérida becomes the third youngest finalist in Umag this decade, behind only Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. ‘That’s something special. They are the two best players in the world. I’m not comparing myself to them, but if you’re in the same sentence with them in tennis, you know you’re doing something right,’ he said.
Mérida, who is without his coach this week and supported only by his girlfriend, will face the winner of the other semifinal between Damir Džumhur and Alex Molčan on Saturday.
Article and image source: jutarnji.hr
