Ferrer goes for Chile with Jódar and Mérida in the singles

Andrés Tomás Rico - 17 Sep 2026 | 19:30
ATP Copa Davis 2026 David Ferrer Rafael Jódar Dani Mérida Pedro Martínez Portero jaume Munar

The draw for the Davis Cup qualifier between Spain and Chile for a spot in the Finals has Tabilo and Mérida kicking off, followed by Garín - Jódar. Martínez and Munar will be the doubles bet.

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Ferrer bets on Jódar and Mérida in singles and on Munar and Martínez in doubles against Chile. Photo: Getty Images.

Everything is ready in Chile for the celebration of the final qualifying phase that will award the seven tickets to the finals of the Davis Cup in Bologna. Italy, the champion for the last three occasions, awaits there, and Spain, the finalist in the last edition, seeks revenge. But first, they have to eliminate the Chilean team in a very tough match, which plays at home on hard courts.

David Ferrer leaves nothing to chance and arrives in the South American country with a team that, while most have not debuted yet, already has a lot of experience despite their youth. Rafael Jódar, Dani Mérida, and Martín Landaluce are making their debut in a qualifying round, while Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez, two of the pillars from the last Davis Cup, will act as veterans.

Facing them will be a Chilean team led by former player and coach Nicolás Massú, with Alejandro Tabilo as the main threat alongside the always tricky Cristian Garín, while Tomás Barrios Vera and Matías Soto complete the lineup.

Last Tuesday, Ferrer assured in the official press conference that the entire Spanish team was very eager and united, but he did not reveal who would be their number one and number two. However, today the draw for the qualifying round took place, and nothing could be hidden anymore: Jódar will be their first player and Dani Mérida their second, while Munar and Martínez will team up for the doubles.

Tabilo - Mérida and Garín - Mérida on the first day of competition

Alejandro Tabilo and Dani Mérida will be responsible for opening the competition. Mérida's good performance on clay this year, with an ATP title (Umag) and another final (Bucharest), may have been one of the reasons Ferrer chose him over Landaluce. Thus, Mérida will make his debut in a Davis Cup qualifying round against a Tabilo he has never faced. Therefore, a highly competitive match is expected, full of long rallies, where whoever takes the initiative will gain much ground.

After this first point, it will be Rafa Jódar's turn, who is also making his Davis Cup qualifying debut as number one. He will face an inconsistent and erratic Cristian Garín, who will undoubtedly draw on his home crowd to support him on a surface where he performs best. Meanwhile, the player from Leganés signed a stellar clay court tour with an ATP title (Marrakech), semifinals in the Conde de Godó, and quarterfinals in the Mutua Madrid Open, Masters 1000 in Rome, and Roland Garros. Just like in the Mérida and Tabilo duel, it will be the first time they meet.

Munar and Martínez will play a decisive doubles

For the doubles on Sunday, David Ferrer has relied on the experience of Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez, the same ones who started Spain's comeback against Denmark a year ago in Marbella, and who, if all goes well, can give the qualifying round to Spain and deliver the final blow to Chile, or leave the matchup in a favorable position or provide an extra chance. Meanwhile, on the other side of the net will be Tomás Barrios Vera and Alejandro Tabilo.

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Tabilo - Jódar and Garin - Mérida in the reserves for Sunday

If the two matches on Friday and the doubles on Saturday haven't determined who will be in the Finals of the Davis Cup in Bologna next November, one or two singles matches will decide it. First, it will be the number one against the number one, meaning Tabilo against Jódar, where the Spaniard leads their head-to-head 2-1. And if the tie is still unresolved, the fifth and decisive point will be fought by the two number twos: Garín and Mérida, who also have not faced each other before. Therefore, it could be an explosive finish to a matchup that seems evenly matched and very exciting.

Spain aims to repeat its presence in Bologna and strengthen its image as a title contender with a renewed team, but one that is hungry and experienced. Meanwhile, Chile hopes to bring joy to its country and reach the Finals to fight for its first salad bowl.

 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ferrer va a por Chile con Jódar y Mérida en los individuales