SANTIAGO, Chile — A comeback and a thrashing. Without Alcaraz, the Spanish Davis Cup team went two matches up in the tie against Chile in Santiago, thanks to Daniel Mérida and Rafael Jódar.
The result of the opening match — 5-7, 6-3 and 6-3 to Mérida — was a bucket of cold water for the home side, who had pinned much of their hope on what Alejandro Tabilo, their best player and world No. 28, could do.
The Chilean started well and seemed to have the match under control in the second set, but was unable to convert his break opportunities and gave the Spaniard a lifeline. Mérida raised his level as Tabilo fell into repeated lapses of concentration.
“I was very nervous at the start — the crowd was really getting behind him,” Mérida told the media. It was his first experience as a player in Davis Cup.
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“We knew before the match started that it was going to be complicated. I am happy with the level I showed and with how I managed to turn it around. I calmed myself down despite being nervous at the start,” said the world No. 41.
“Being able to play Davis Cup is a dream you have since you are a kid. It is a completely different competition from the tournaments you play every week. I felt an overwhelming joy when I found out I was coming here to Chile,” he told CLAY.
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In the second match, Rafael Jódar was too dominant for Chilean Cristián Garín. The newly turned 20-year-old also made his debut in the competition and did so with a comfortable 6-0 and 6-2.
“We were focused. We were able to block out the atmosphere and concentrate on what we had to do,” said Jódar.
“It has been a very good result. We have not achieved anything yet. I am very happy with the debuts of Dani Mérida and Rafa. The players showed a maturity beyond their years,” said captain David Ferrer.
Sunday’s session opens with the doubles. Chilean captain Nicolás Massú needs Tabilo and Tomás Barrios to beat Jaume Munar and Pedro Martínez to keep the tie alive.
