Mérida and Davidovich Reach Third Round at Madrid Masters

Spanish tennis players Dani Mérida and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina advanced to the third round of the Madrid Masters 1000 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, securing victories over Frenchman Corentin Moutet and compatriot Pablo Carreño Busta respectively. Mérida, a Madrid native, defeated Moutet 6-3, 6-4 on Court 3 at the Caja Mágica, while Davidovich Fokina, from Málaga, beat Carreño Busta 6-3, 6-3. Both players marked significant milestones in their careers with these wins.

Mérida’s victory over Moutet was particularly noteworthy as it represented his first-ever appearance in the third round of a Masters 1000 tournament. The 25-year-old Madrileño had previously navigated through qualifying and endured a grueling three-set battle against Argentine Marco Trungelliti in the second round. Despite the physical toll, Mérida showed no signs of fatigue against Moutet, securing the win in one hour and 52 minutes. The home crowd at the Caja Mágica energized him throughout the match, treating him as one of their tournament favorites.

Moutet, known for his unorthodox and charismatic playing style, attempted to inject some drama into the contest during the second set. Facing defeat, the Frenchman resorted to underarm serves—a tactic that drew mixed reactions from the Madrid crowd. His first underarm serve won the point, but the second failed, eliciting boos from some spectators and ironic applause from others. Despite these moments, the match did not reach the same intensity as Mérida’s previous encounter with Trungelliti, where the Argentine had alleged racist abuse from sections of the audience.

Davidovich Fokina’s straight-sets victory over Carreño Busta was equally impressive. The Málaga-born player demonstrated consistent form to dispatch his fellow Spaniard in just over an hour, setting up a third-round clash with Norwegian Casper Ruud. This win continued Davidovich Fokina’s strong run in Madrid, where he has been building momentum throughout the clay-court season.

Both Mérida and Davidovich Fokina’s successes highlight the depth of Spanish talent currently competing on the ATP Tour. Their performances at the Madrid Masters 1000 not only provide personal career highlights but too contribute to Spain’s strong presence in one of the season’s premier clay-court events. As they prepare for their respective third-round matches, both players carry the momentum and confidence gained from their hard-fought victories.

Looking ahead, Mérida will face the winner of the match between [Player A] and [Player B] in the third round, while Davidovich Fokina is set to play Casper Ruud. The Madrid Masters 1000 continues through Sunday, May 4, 2026, with subsequent rounds determining the eventual champion of this ATP Tour Masters 1000 event held annually in the Spanish capital.

For ongoing coverage of the Madrid Masters 1000 and other major tennis tournaments, fans can follow official ATP Tour updates and reputable sports news outlets. The tournament’s progression will be closely watched as it impacts player rankings and preparation for the upcoming French Open.