Dani Mérida rises in Montreal and is now virtually in the top 50

Dani Mérida continues to write an unforgettable week at the Masters 1000 in Montreal. The Spanish player defeated Alex Michelsen on Friday (6-4, 6-7, 6-1) and advanced to the round of 16 in the Canadian tournament, a round that also has double rewards: the Madrilenian is virtually placed within the top 50 of the ATP ranking.

Mérida, who continues to confirm his growth on the circuit in Montreal, needed three sets to overcome a particularly uncomfortable opponent. The American Michelsen, one of the young stars of American tennis, managed to take the match to a tiebreak after the Spaniard claimed the first set, but Mérida did not let himself be dragged down by the match's dynamics.

He had the second set in his hands; it could have been an insurmountable wound, but the third set was another story. The Spaniard regained control, raised the intensity again, and quickly opened a gap that Michelsen could not close. The definitive 6-1 confirmed a victory of enormous value, both for the opponent and for the setting, and especially for what this means for his progression in the world ranking.

Dani Mérida will take another leap upward in the world ranking

The victory allows Mérida to place himself virtually among the 50 best players in the world, a territory that not long ago seemed distant and is now within reach. The result in Montreal therefore means much more than just a qualification for the round of 16. It confirms that the Spaniard is beginning to compete regularly at the elite level.

His next hurdle will be the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who also needed to come back to defeat the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (3-6, 6-4, 6-3). The round of 16 match will pose a new test for the Spaniard, who has already shown in Montreal that he did not arrive here by chance. 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dani Mérida se dispara en Montreal y ya es virtual top50