India’s top-ranked men’s tennis player Sumit Nagal produced one of his most dominant performances of the season, defeating Spain’s Daniel Merida Aguilar in straight sets to move into the second round of the ATP 125 Valencia Challenger.
The 27-year-old, currently ranked ATP No. 289, brushed aside Merida, ranked No. 169, with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 scoreline on the clay courts of Valencia.
The match was expected to be a tough battle between two in-form players Nagal coming in with a series of strong results in recent weeks in a challenging year, and Merida enjoying one of the most consistent seasons of his career on the Challenger circuit. Instead, it turned out to be a one-sided affair, with Nagal dictating from the baseline throughout the contest.
Nagal’s game was solid from the very first point. He played with control and precision, cutting down on unforced errors and showcasing his baseline consistency. His forehand, a major weapon, repeatedly broke down Merida’s rhythm during long rallies. From the back of the court, Nagal was simply too good, maintaining depth and variety while forcing Merida into uncomfortable defensive positions.
Merida, who came into the match after an excellent few months including a title run at the Pozoblanco Challenger, a final appearance in Lyon, and two semifinal finishes struggled to impose his usual aggressive game. Known for his strong groundstrokes and solid net play, the 21-year-old Spaniard found it hard to adapt against Nagal’s clean hitting and consistency.
After being broken early in the second set to trail 1-2, Merida’s intensity noticeably dipped. From that point on, Nagal seized full control, winning five consecutive games to wrap up the contest in just over an hour. It was a complete performance smart shot selection, calm temperament, and high-quality execution.
The Indian has been showing signs of resurgence over the past few weeks. Before arriving in Valencia, Nagal had reached the quarterfinals in Braga and Tulln, picking up notable wins against Mili Polijcak, Frederico Silva, and Alexander Ritschard in the process.
His qualifying campaign in Valencia itself was a testament to his growing confidence defeating former junior World No. 3 Santamarta Roig and experienced Swiss player Ritschard in straight sets.
These performances underline the steady progress Nagal has made since the start of the season. His fitness and shot tolerance have improved, particularly on clay, where he now holds a 31-22 win–loss record in 2025.
Merida’s breakthrough season stalls briefly
For Merida, this defeat marked a rare off day in what has otherwise been an impressive 2025 campaign. The Spaniard’s clay record stands at 33-14, and he has been among the most consistent performers on the Challenger circuit this year.
His ability to transition from hard to clay has been key to his rise, and many expect him to break into ATP Tour-level events next season. However, against Nagal, he was never allowed to find momentum. Despite flashes of his trademark big forehand and decent backhand exchanges early on, Nagal’s relentless accuracy proved too much to handle.
With this win, Nagal booked a place in the Round of 16, where he will face another young Spanish player, Pablo Llamas Ruiz (ATP No. 202). Interestingly, Ruiz had beaten Nagal earlier this year in March 2025, making this an opportunity for the Indian to exact revenge.
Ruiz, like Merida, has been in strong form on home soil, and the upcoming match promises to be another baseline-heavy clay-court duel.
The victory over Merida, however, sends a clear signal Nagal’s form is peaking at the right time. He has regained confidence, shown tactical maturity, and looks comfortable grinding out points from the back of the court.
His ability to stay composed under pressure and limit errors has been a defining factor in this phase of his comeback. If he continues to maintain this level of consistency, Nagal could be set for a deep run in Valencia a much-needed boost to his ranking and momentum heading into the final stretch of the 2025 season.
🇮🇳 (Q) Sumit Nagal [ATP 289] def. 🇪🇸 Daniel Merida Aguilar [ATP 169] 6-3, 6-1
📍 Surface: Clay | Event: ATP Challenger Valencia (R32)
➡️ Next Opponent: Pablo Llamas Ruiz (ESP, ATP 202)
A solid, composed, and confidence-boosting win for India’s top men’s singles player and another reminder that Sumit Nagal is steadily finding his rhythm again on the Challenger Tour.
