Daniel Merida Stuns Rublev at US Open 2026: Who Is the Rising Spanish Star?
Daniel Merida has gone from a name tennis fans might have missed to one of the biggest breakout stories of the 2026 US Open. The 21-year-old Spaniard stunned No. 23 seed Andrey Rublev on Wednesday, recovering from a first-set deficit to win 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 and reach the third round.
The victory was not just another Grand Slam win. Rublev is a four-time US Open quarterfinalist, while Merida had entered this tournament with only two previous Grand Slam main-draw appearances. Now, suddenly, the spotlight is on the Madrid-born player.
Merida arrived at the US Open ranked No. 39 after beginning the year at No. 163. His rapid rise includes his first ATP title at the Croatia Open in July and a quarterfinal run at the Montreal ATP Masters 1000.
Who Is Daniel Merida?
Merida is a 21-year-old Spaniard from Madrid whose route into tennis was shaped by an unusual beginning. He first played padel after his father introduced him to the sport at four. A visit to a tennis court changed the direction of his sporting life, and he eventually committed to tennis.
That background is now part of a much bigger story. Merida's 2026 season has transformed him from a promising player into one of the most intriguing young names on the men's tour.
How Merida Beat Andrey Rublev
Daniel Merida def. Andrey Rublev: 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
Merida's biggest test came after he dropped a tight first set. Instead of allowing Rublev to take control, he responded by winning the next three sets. His ability to reset after losing the opening set was the defining feature of the upset.
Rublev had the experience and ranking advantage, but Merida stayed composed long enough to turn the match into a four-set breakthrough. By the end, the Spaniard had earned the biggest Grand Slam victory of his career.
The Rise Happened Fast
The numbers explain why Merida is suddenly attracting attention. He was ranked No. 163 in January. By the time he reached Flushing Meadows, he had climbed to No. 39, powered by his first ATP title in Croatia and his run in Montreal.
That trajectory makes the US Open result feel less like a random upset and more like the latest step in a season-long breakthrough.
What Happens Next?
Merida's reward is another opportunity against a young player who also created a major Day 4 storyline: American Alex Michelsen. Michelsen defeated No. 16 seed Brandon Nakashima in straight sets, setting up a third-round meeting between two rising names.
For Merida, the challenge is now to prove that beating Rublev was not the peak of his New York run. Another victory would push the Spaniard deeper into the tournament and give an already surging player an even larger international audience.
From Qualifying Struggle to US Open Spotlight
There is a striking difference between where Merida was a year ago and where he is now. At the 2025 US Open, his Grand Slam journey ended in qualifying. Twelve months later, he has beaten a seeded former quarterfinalist and reached the third round of the main draw.
That is why Merida's name is worth remembering. The US Open has not simply produced an upset for him — it may have introduced the wider tennis world to its next Spanish breakthrough star.