There will be a first-time titlist in Bucharest on Sunday, as No. 7-seeded Mariano Navone of Argentina and Daniel Merida of Spain are set to clash in the final of the Tiriac Open.
Navone reached his third ATP final with a 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp, while qualifier Merida edged third-seeded Fabian Marozsan, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1 to reach his first career final.
Merida, 21, is playing in just his second ATP-level event and becomes the youngest finalist in Bucharest since 2004. The World No. 136 saved three match points in his quarterfinal win over Tituan Droguet.
The Spaniard had never earned an ATP victory prior to this week.
“I’m ready for the final, to give 100 percent,” said Merida. “I want more.”
Merida hit one of the shots of the tournaments to bring up double match point against Marozsan, slipping a running forehand between the Hungarian and the sideline for a winner.
He closed his biggest career victory two points later.
Navone himself saved a pair of match points against Van de Zandschulp, at 3-5 and 4-5 of the second set.
“It is unbelievable,” Navone said. “Up and down so many times. Botic is a very good player. It was about the physical battle in the third set. I was two match points down but I kept pushing.