Pablo Carreño Busta defeated Argentina’s Mariano Navone 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a grueling 2 hour and 53 minute match at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on October 8, 2026, marking the sole victory for the Spanish contingent on opening day. The day was described by sources as disastrous for Spanish tennis, with four players entering the fray and only Carreño advancing. The match reached a very high level against an opponent who on hard courts has previously defeated Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini at the US Open. Carreño entered the tournament after coming through the qualifying rounds at the Beijing 500 Open and falling in the opening round of the main draw to Daniil Medvedev.
Carreño Survives Three-Set Battle Against Navone
Playing on hard courts in Shanghai, the 35-year-old Spaniard—ranked 65th in the ATP rankings—rallied after dropping the opening set, which he had initially led 4-1 before losing five consecutive games, to secure his place in the second round. Carreño Busta converted key break points in the final stages while firing 5 aces and landing 64 percent of his first services, winning 73 percent of the points on his first serve. The veteran Spaniard saved 12 of the 19 break points he faced during the marathon encounter, having to lift a 0-40 deficit at 2-2 in the second set before forcing a decider with a break at 6-5. In the third set, he capitalized on his only break point opportunity, whereas Navone failed to convert any of his eight break points, including two missed 0-40 chances. During the match, Carreño had to stretch his left leg and request the presence of the tournament physiotherapist.
Tough Openings for Landaluce and Mérida in Shanghai
While Carreño advanced, fellow Spanish competitors struggled during the evening session. Madrid natives Martín Landaluce and Dani Mérida both suffered opening-round exits. Landaluce fell to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets by a double 6-4 scoreline, failing to capitalize on multiple break point opportunities—desapropiating up to 7 break balls throughout the clash—against the server, who struck 13 aces. Meanwhile, Mérida won the first set 6-1 against the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp before dropping the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 as his opponent mounted a comeback.
Tabilo Holds Advantage over Spanish Opponent
Head-to-head records show two victories for the Spanish player against one for the Chilean, though Tabilo won their most recent encounter at the ATP Rome tournament by 6-2, 6-1.
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