GUIA DE ISORA/STARNBERG, February 7, 2026
The Tenerife Challenger 1 will end with the best possible finale: top seed Francesco Maestrelli against second seed Daniel Merida. On the Tenerife Arena at the Abama Tennis Academy – home of the ATP Challenger event organized by MEF Tennis Events – Italy and Spain will clash once again after Saturday’s split results in the singles semifinals.
Merida was first to punch his ticket, edging Stefano Travaglia in a gripping two-hour-and-15-minute battle, 6–1, 3–6, 7–5. Shortly after, Maestrelli delivered a composed performance to beat Pol Martin Tiffon 6–4, 6–3.
Arriving in Tenerife with plenty of attention after a strong Australian Open and a dream match against Novak Djokovic, Maestrelli has handled the week with maturity from round one to the final. After solid wins throughout the draw, the 22-year-old from Pisa confirmed his form in the semifinal against Tiffon.
“Il Maestro” makes another step
Francesco Maestrelli takes out Pol Martin Tiffon (6-4 6-3) to reach the last act in Tenerife.#tennis #TenerifeChallenger #ATPChallenger #Tenerife #TenerifeDespiertaEmociones pic.twitter.com/R4P45flxoV
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) February 7, 2026
“He raised his level a lot in the second set,” Maestrelli said. “I’m on a great path and learning to manage emotions and tough moments. I still have a lot of room to improve, but today I played a great match. Tennis changes fast, so I try to control my reactions, physically and mentally.”
The result guarantees Maestrelli a new career-high ranking: he is virtually No. 106 in the world and could climb as high as No. 101 with the title, putting the Top 100 within touching distance. Still, he’s keeping his feet on the ground:
“The Top 100 is every tennis player’s dream, but right now I’m focused on improving my game. In the next weeks we’ll work to make my best level last longer.”
Merida dreams big after three-set battle
“It was a very tough match,” said Merida after outlasting Travaglia. “I started better, then the wind changed in the second set and the third was close until the end. I did everything I could to close it out. I’m really happy with the level I showed.” Backed by a vocal home crowd, the Madrid native reaches the third Challenger final of his career and will chase his second title at this level after Pozoblanco 2025.
“The crowd was incredible—thank you to everyone who came. Now it’s time to rest, eat well, and get ready for tomorrow. I’ll also try to watch a bit of the other semifinal.”
With this run, Merida moves virtually into the Top 150, the best ranking of his career so far.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Singles semifinals
Francesco Maestrelli (1) d. Pol Martín Tiffon 6–4, 6–3
Daniel Mérida (2) d. Stefano Travaglia (3) 6–1, 3–6, 7–5
Doubles final
Abdullah Shelbayh/David Vega Hernández d. Pablo Llamas Ruiz/Benjamin Winter Lopez 6–2, 6–4
Order of Play | Sunday, February 8 ️#tennis #TenerifeChallenger #ATPChallenger #Tenerife #TenerifeDespiertaEmociones pic.twitter.com/DOt7eC2E1v
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) February 7, 2026
