Third time proved lucky for Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday in Bucharest.
The 25-year-old defeated Spain’s Daniel Merida 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 for his first ATP title in his third final. Navone, who saved a pair of match points in a three hour and 31-minute quarterfinal victory over Botic Van de Zandschulp, joins Rafael Jodar as one of two first-time title winners on the ATP Tour on Sunday.
Navone, who fell short by losing the Bucharest final in 2024, came through a wild final with the qualifier and first-time ATP finalist. He needed two shots to serve out the win, finally completing his triumph in two hours and 17 minutes.
There were a total of 14 breaks of serve in the clash.
“I’m so happy right now. It’s my first ATP title,” Navone said in his on-court interview. “There are a lot of emotions right now. When I was a kid, I dreamed of winning these tournaments on the big stages.”
Navone broke for 5-3 in the third, but failed on two championship points during his first attempt to serve it out. Merida then held serve, coming through a deuce game, for five-all.
Navone responded with a hold through a deuce game of his own, then struck in the final game to close out his win, when Merida’s last-ditch forehand clipped the net cord and landed wide.
The Argentinian has risen to No. 42 in the live rankings.
Merida had never won a tour-level match prior to this week, he’ll jump to a career-high of 101 in Monday’s ATP rankings.