China’s Fajing Sun and Spain’s Daniel Mérida will face off in the singles final of the Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Covap – Memorial Fabián Dorado, an ATP Challenger 75 event.

Sixth seed Fajing Sun earned his place in the final after a hard-fought 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Portugal’s Tiago Pereira in two hours and 14 minutes. It will be the 22-year-old Chinese player’s second career final at Challenger level.

Sun started the match sharply, breaking in the second game and quickly building a 3-0 lead. He appeared to be in full control, showcasing the physical dominance that has become his trademark throughout the week. However, Pereira settled into the contest, growing in confidence with each game. The Portuguese player broke back and leveled the score, eventually capitalizing on a dip from Sun to break again at 6-5 and close out the first set, despite needing two set points to do so.

The Chinese player responded in the second set, once again breaking early to go up 3-0, only to see Pereira level the score at 3-3. Unlike the first set, Sun managed to keep his composure, and with the score at 5-4, he pressed Pereira into errors, breaking once more to take the set and force a decider.

In the third set, fatigue began to take its toll, especially on Pereira. Sun looked physically fresher and broke in the fifth game to take a crucial 4-1 lead. Pereira had a chance to break back in the eighth game as Sun relied mostly on second serves, but unforced errors cost him dearly. Though the Portuguese player saved two match points in his next service game, Sun sealed the win on his own serve, advancing to the final with a composed finish.

Mérida ends 13-year drought for Spain in Pozoblanco

Joining Sun in the final is 21-year-old Spaniard Daniel Mérida, who became the first Spanish player to reach the final in Pozoblanco since Roberto Bautista Agut and Arnau Brugués faced off in 2012. Mérida defeated Britain’s Oliver Crawford 6-3, 7-6(4) in one hour and 25 minutes.

The Madrid native dominated the first set, earning three breaks of serve and proving more effective with both his serve and groundstrokes. While Crawford fought hard and retrieved many balls from the baseline, Mérida dictated the tempo with confidence, particularly on return, forcing the Brit to defend constantly.

Despite losing his serve once in the opening set, Mérida responded immediately, breaking again to take control as Crawford faltered. The Spaniard wrapped up the first set in just 30 minutes.

Crawford, however, responded well in the second set. He took advantage of a few early unforced errors from Mérida and broke serve to move ahead. Though Crawford managed to consolidate and hold under pressure, including saving a break point with a brilliant reflex volley at 4-3, he cracked while serving for the set at 5-4, making two costly errors that allowed Mérida back in.

From there, the Spaniard raised his level, broke to lead 6-5, and after a brief lull, closed out the match in a tense tiebreak. Mérida gained a slight early lead in the breaker and never relinquished it, sealing the win to the delight of the Spanish crowd.

Vamos Dani!

The 20-year-old overcomes Crawford 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach the final in Pozoblanco#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/kwBeT2VFUq

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 19, 2025

Final Showdown Set

Sunday’s final promises to be a clash of contrasting styles. Sun brings physicality and resilience, while Mérida relies on clean shot-making and smart tactical play. Both players will be bidding for their first ATP Challenger Tour title of the year – and in Mérida’s case, a maiden Challenger crown that would mark a career breakthrough.