Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Merida Reaches First Masters Quarter-Final and Climbs Into Top 50

A rapid clay-to-hardcourt adaptation now pits him against Learner Tien in the quarter-finals.

Daniel Merida of Spain celebrates a victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor that advanced him to the quarter-finals at the ATP Montreal Masters

Overview

  • Daniel Merida beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-1 to reach his first ATP Masters quarter-final and will move inside the top 50 in the ATP rankings.
  • Before Montreal the 21-year-old Spaniard had never won a tour-level hardcourt match but has won four straight main-draw matches on the surface at this event.
  • Merida will face 12th seed Learner Tien in the last eight after Tien defeated Thiago Tirante 6-4, 6-4 and saved the first eight break points he faced in the second set.
  • Ben Shelton was scheduled to play Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca in the evening session for the remaining place in the quarter-finals.
  • Merida’s run builds on his recent clay form, including an Umag title and 16 wins this season, and the Masters points from Montreal could change his seedings and entry opportunities at upcoming big events.