SEVILLA, September 4, 2025
Ignacio Buse headlined Thursday’s quarterfinal action at the LXII Copa Sevilla. The 21-year-old Peruvian knocked out No. 2 seed Carlos Taberner of Spain 6-3, 6-2. Buse, sixth seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 125 clay-court event in the capital city of Andalucia, capitalized on five of his 13 break-point opportunities and won 58 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 43 minutes.
Up next for World No. 135 Buse, who is seeking his second Challenger career title after his triumph at the Neckarcup in Bad Rappenau, Germany earlier this season, will be Daniel Merida. The 20-year-old Madrid native emerged victorious from the all-Spanish encounter with qualifier David Jorda Sanchis, winning 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes.
Daniel Merida shines in Seville ☀️
The 20-year-old overcomes Jorda Sanchis 6-4, 6-4 to reach his fourth Challenger semifinal of the season#ATPChallenger | @Mridatenis1 | @CopaSevillaCh pic.twitter.com/Yde3Vr9E2O
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 4, 2025
In the top half of the draw, Serbian veteran Dusan Lajovic fought past No. 7 seed and 2014 Copa Sevilla champion Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The 35-year-old Belgrade native, who practices at Castelldefels near Barcelona alongside his long-time coach Jose Perlas, sent down six aces and won 78 per cent of his first-service points to seal victory in two hours and 14 minutes.
Dusan Lajovic is a veteran on the tour and feels that competition has become tougher.
“The level at Challengers has improved compared to 12 or 13 years ago. Players are very similar now. You can lose and win against anybody.”
: @brigitte__urban#ATPChallenger #CopaSevilla pic.twitter.com/ZvXym9eYJK
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) September 4, 2025
Lajovic will next play Genaro Alberto Olivieri. Under the lights on Center Court of the Real Club de Tenis Betis, the 27-year-old Argentina rallied from a set down to outlast No. 8 seed Vilius Gaubas from Lithuania 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. The encounter ended at midnight and lasted two hours and 21 minutes.
