Sebastian Baez

[Lucas]

[Art]

[Art]

[Damian]

[Damian]

The opposite semi-final will be an all-Argentine affair between fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo and fifth seed Sebastian Baez. Baez was a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 winner against Brazil's Thiago Monteiro earlier on Friday, while Cerundolo beat Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Both Argentines are through to their ninth ATP Tour semi-final (Baez 6-2, Cerundolo 4-4). For Baez, it is his first semi-final showing above the ATP 250 level.

By reaching the semis, Cerundolo secured a return to the Top 20 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday for the first time since November.

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[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Baez reaches biggest ATP Tour final in Rio de Janeiro

Spoiler:

Argentine awaits Norrie or Navone in Sunday's final
February 24, 2024

Sebastian Baez advances to his first final above the ATP 250 level.
By ATP Staff
Sebastian Baez stared down three set points at 4-5 in the opening set on Saturday at the Rio Open presented by Claro. He saved each one under pressure from countryman Sebastian Baez and did not lose another game en route to a 7-5, 6-0 victory.

Baez's nine-game tear earned him the win in his first semi-final above ATP 250 level. He will play for his fifth and biggest tour-level title on Sunday against either Cameron Norrie or fellow Argentine Mariano Navone.

While Baez twice beat Cerundolo on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2021, Saturday's win was his first in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which is now level at 1-1.

"We know each other too much, I think more than I want," Baez joked after the win. "All matches are different. Today it's going to my side. In the first set, I gave many break points to him. I had to take it because it's so hard for both."


After an early trade of breaks, Baez saved six consecutive break points in the one-hour, 24-minute match. He converted on four of his seven break chances and won more than half of his return points, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

"It's hard but I always try to be focussed on the next point, on the next game, every time thinking about my game and what I have to do," Baez said of his surge through the finish line.

Cerundolo, who was also bidding to reach his first final above the ATP 250 level, struggled with 39 unforced errors, including 26 off his backhand wing. Despite the loss, he will return to the Top 20 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

Baez is up seven places to No. 23 this week in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, setting himself up for a career high. He could move up to No. 21 with the Rio title.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/baez-ce ... ro-2024-sf

[Lucas]

[Lucas]

[Lucas]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Brilliant Baez bags biggest title of career in Rio de Janeiro

Spoiler:

Argentine earns maiden ATP 500 trophy
February 25, 2024

Sebastian Baez claims the first ATP 500 title of his career in Rio de Janeiro.
By ATP Staff
Sebastian Baez won the biggest title of his career Sunday at the Rio Open presented by Claro.

The Argentine ended the dream run of countryman Mariano Navone, a qualifier, 6-2, 6-1 in the ATP 500 final. It is the fifth seed’s first title above ATP 250-level and the fifth tour-level trophy of his career.

"Amazing, amazing. All week I felt so good here in Rio. I said before, I liken [it to] home because of the crowd, the people, everything," Baez said. "In the preseason I did one week here, so I know this place, I know the people and I enjoyed [all my] time inside and outside the court."


Entering the week, Navone had not won an ATP Tour match. The 22-year-old surged into the spotlight with a memorable run in Brazil, earning the adoration of the Brazilian crowd, which supported him until the end.




But the more experienced Baez proved too solid on the red clay. The champion raced to a 4-0 lead before Navone could find any rhythm in the match and never looked back, clinching the championship after one hour and 23 minutes.

Baez won 58 per cent of his return points according to Infosys ATP Stats and broke Navone’s serve six times from 14 chances.

"I think it's so important because in your first final you'll be more nervous, of course," Baez said. "I think I did so well in the start in both sets, so I think that was the key."

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Whenever the finalist was not aggressive enough in rallies, Baez made him pay with timely shotmaking from tough positions. It was as if Baez was always one step ahead. That forced Navone to press more, leading to more errors.

Baez will climb to a career-high No. 21 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings Monday from No. 30. Navone will crack the Top 100 for the first time at No. 60.

"Amazing, amazing," Baez said. "But I want more for sure."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/baez-na ... 2024-final

[Damian]

[Damian]

2) Baez In Field: Three of Baez's four tour-level titles have come on clay. A finalist in Santiago two years ago, the Argentine looks to go one step further to add to his trophy cabinet. The 23-year-old is seeded second, and will arrive in Chile after he contests his first ATP 500 final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/acapulc ... ing-report

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