Merida Marks Paris Masters Debut With Straight-Sets Win Over Baez

Spain's Daniel Merida made a winning start to life at the Paris Masters on Monday, beating Argentinian lucky loser Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the season's final Masters 1000 event. The 22-year-old, ranked No. 42 in the world, was playing at the tournament for the first time and handled the occasion with composure, taking the match in straight sets. Baez had entered the draw after Alexander Blockx withdrew, but Merida gave him little room to settle. It continues a breakthrough season for the Spaniard, who won his first ATP title in Umag earlier in the year and also reached the final in Bucharest, where Mariano Navone beat him 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Merida will now face either 12th seed Tommy Paul or Holger Rune, who play on Tuesday, for a place in the third round. The Paris event is the last chance for players to secure qualification for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, which adds extra weight to every first-round result as the race reaches its conclusion.