Navone Stages Remarkable Comeback, Merida Eyes Title in Bucharest
Argentine star clinches victory against Van de Zandschulp: 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5
Date: April 04, 2026
ATP 250 Tiriac Open Highlights
Mariano Navone triumphs against all odds to secure a spot in the final.
Written by Sam Jacot
Mariano Navone defied the odds on Saturday at the Tiriac Open, saving two match points against Botic van de Zandschulp to seize his place in the final of this prestigious event in Bucharest.
The seventh-seed Argentine emerged victorious over the eighth-seed Dutchman with a scoreline of 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5, in an intense match that lasted three hours and 32 minutes.
In a gripping second set, Navone staved off one match point while Van de Zandschulp served at 3-5 and another on his own serve at 4-5. The 25-year-old rallied to capture the set on his first opportunity and came back from a break down twice in the thrilling final set, securing a nail-biting triumph.
“It feels surreal,” Navone expressed. “The ups and downs were intense. Botic is an exceptional player. The third set really became a battle of wills. I was down two match points but kept my focus. You never know how these situations will play out, but it’s incredibly special to be back in the final.”
Hunting for his first-ever tour-level title, Navone is set to face Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida in the championship match. Previously, Navone was runner-up in Bucharest back in 2024, and he aims for a more favorable outcome this time around.
With his latest performance, Navone climbs to No. 47 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, making a return to the Top 50 for the first time since February 2025.
Merida also made headlines, defeating third seed Fabian Marozsan with a score of 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1 to reach his inaugural ATP Tour final. The 21-year-old entered Bucharest without a tour-level win and now stands just one match away from claiming the title.
Merida has surged 35 spots to No. 101 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is poised for a career-high ranking on Monday. This week, the qualifier has shown resilience by saving match points against both Otto Virtanen and Titouan Droguet.
