POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 21, 2025
Spaniard Daniel Mérida captured his first ATP Challenger Tour title on Sunday, winning the 2025 Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco Covap – Memorial Fabián Dorado with an impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory over China’s Fajing Sun. The final lasted one hour and 26 minutes and capped off a stellar week for the Madrid-born player, who now breaks into the world’s Top 180 and secures a spot in the qualifying draw for the upcoming US Open.
Mérida becomes the first Spaniard to lift the Pozoblanco trophy since Roberto Bautista Agut in 2012.
Despite a slightly nervous start, Mérida quickly found his rhythm, earning a break in the second game. Sun responded immediately, signaling the start of a match full of long rallies, bold shot-making, and frequent momentum shifts. Both players had been among the best returners throughout the week, and the final reflected that dynamic with multiple service breaks and baseline battles.
Breaks came thick and fast from the sixth game onward. Mérida pulled ahead again with a stunning backhand down the line and capitalized on a Sun unforced error. However, the Chinese player continued to fight, applying pressure on return and breaking back to stay in contention.
With the score at 4-3, Mérida turned defense into offense, digging deep to break Sun once more and give himself the chance to serve out the set. This time, he held firm, saving a break point and finally converting his second set point thanks to another trademark backhand that forced Sun into an error. Mérida took the opener 6-3 in 40 minutes.
The second set started with more dominance from the Spaniard. He broke Sun to love and quickly held for a 2-0 lead. Although Sun threatened to recover, Mérida saved two break points to maintain his lead and keep the pressure firmly on his opponent.
Sun finally managed to hold comfortably for the first time and then broke back, leveling the match at 3-3. For the first time in the match, the Chinese player had momentum. But Mérida stayed composed, responding with another love hold and then breaking once more with a crisp return and another backhand winner to take a 4-3 lead.
Serving at 5-4, Mérida earned three match points. Sun saved one, but on the next opportunity, an inside-out forehand winner sealed his fate and Mérida’s triumph.
Dani Merida’s magic moment ✨
The 20-year-old claims his first career Challenger title with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Sun in Pozoblanco#ATPChallenger | @RFETenis pic.twitter.com/v0AVGRKaHW
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) July 20, 2025
With the victory, Daniel Mérida earns 75 ATP Ranking points and €12,980 in prize money. Fajing Sun collects 44 points and €7,620 for his runner-up finish.
This milestone win marks a significant step in Mérida’s career as he eyes a deeper run on the ATP Challenger Tour and prepares for his debut at a Grand Slam qualifying draw later this year.
