Mérida makes a debut in Paris, dominating Báez

Dani Mérida has made a great debut at the ATP Paris after defeating Sebastián Báez with a score of 6-4 6-2 after 1 hour and 17 minutes of play. Another victory that will allow the Spanish player to continue climbing positions in the ranking to get closer to being seeded in major tournaments. His opponent in the second round will be the winner of the match between Tommy Paul and Holger Rune. 

Mérida came from a streak of poor results after falling in the first round at ATP Shanghai and ATP Vienna against Botic Van de Zandschulp and Daniil Medvedev. However, he has found his best level again in Paris to dismantle a Báez who could not break the Spaniard's serve at any point in the match. The Argentine had several chances to do so at 5-4 in the first set, but Dani closed the set with a great cross-court backhand under the watchful eye of David Ferrer and Marc López (captains of Spain in the Davis Cup).

Mérida returns to the top 40

The second set was an exhibition by Mérida, who broke Báez's serve twice and finished a match that is vital for him, as it will temporarily allow him to return to the top 40 of the ranking. In fact, a good result in Paris would bring him closer to that top 32 that marks the seeded players in important tournaments, although both Tommy Paul and Holger Rune will be tough opponents in the next round.

No matter what happens, it’s a historic year for the Spanish tennis player, who has not only broken into the top 100 but also has made a giant leap in his aspirations to compete with the best players on the circuit, leaving great highlights and sending a warning for a 2027 in which he will aim to elevate his performance even more.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mérida debuta en París arrasando a Báez