The seventh-seeded Argentine overcame the eighth-seeded Dutchman 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 to advance at the ATP 250 clay-court event after three hours and 32 minutes.<\/p>\n
In a dramatic second set, Navone saved one match point on Van de Zandschulp\u2019s serve at 3-5 and then another one his own delivery at 4-5. The 25-year-old sealed the set on his first set point and then twice rallied from a break down in the decider to earn a dramatic win.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unbelievable,\u201d Navone said. \u201cUp and down so many times. Botic is a very good player. It was about the physical battle in the third set. I was two match points down but I kept pushing. You never know how it is going to go but it is very special to be back in the final again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Navone is chasing his maiden tour-level trophy and will meet Spanish qualifier Daniel Merida<\/a> in the title match. Navone lost in the final in Bucharest in 2024 to Marton Fucsovics<\/a>, but will hope for a different outcome Sunday.<\/p>\n The Argentine is up 13 spots to No. 47 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is set to return to the Top 50 on Monday for the first time since February 2025.<\/p>\n Merida overcame third seed Fabian Marozsan<\/a> 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1 to reach his first ATP Tour final. The 21-year-old arrived in Bucharest without a tour-level victory, but is now just one win from the title at the ATP 250 event.<\/p>\n Merida is up 35 spots to No. 101 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and is set to rise to a career high on Monday. The qualifier has saved match points against Otto Virtanen<\/a> and Titouan Droguet<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n![\"\u201cATP\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767418027_359_atp-no-1-club-banner-article.jpg\")
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