Diego Merida Aguilar defeated Roman Andres Burruchaga 6-4, 6-2 at the Umag tournament, capitalising on a dominant serve and a relentless return game. The Argentine converted three break points while saving 75% of the ones he faced, never allowing his opponent to build momentum.
The first set turned decisively when Merida Aguilar broke for 3-1, only for Burruchaga to level immediately at 3-4. But Merida Aguilar broke again in the 10th game to close out 6-4. The second set was one-sided: he broke in the 4th game for 3-1 and again in the 8th to seal the match, never facing a break point.
Merida Aguilar won 70% of his first-serve points (21/30) and limited Burruchaga to just 30% on first-serve returns. He also won 47% of his second-serve return points, putting relentless pressure on the Burruchaga delivery throughout.