Argentine tennis star Sebastian Baez put on a spectacular performance to claim his second consecutive Rio Open title, defeating Alexandre Muller in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, in the final on Sunday. With this victory, Baez now boasts seven ATP titles, six of which have come on clay courts, solidifying his reputation as a formidable force on the surface.
Baez’s Commanding Performance in the Final
Baez, the No. 5 seed in Rio, wasted no time asserting his dominance against Muller. He converted five out of seven break points, while only losing his serve once. The match lasted just one hour and 26 minutes, a testament to Baez’s clinical efficiency and strategic gameplay.
Right from the start, Baez took control. He saved three break points to maintain an early lead at 2-1 in the first set before breaking Muller’s serve again to go up 5-2. From there, he comfortably served out the set.
Muller showed resilience in the second set, breaking back at 2-2 to briefly shift the momentum. However, Baez quickly regained control, breaking again at 4-3 before sealing the win with another break at 5-3. His aggressive yet calculated approach left Muller with few answers.
Baez Reacts: ‘I’m So Proud’
After lifting the trophy for the second year in a row, an elated Baez expressed his joy:
“I’m so proud—so proud of this entire week. I’m so happy.”
The Argentine has now won six ATP finals in a row dating back to early 2023. When asked about his impressive record in title matches, Baez credited his unwavering focus and the support of his team:
“Finals are different because you want to win the title. But I try to focus on the game, which is the hardest part. My team’s support means everything to me, and it helped a lot.”
Muller’s Impressive Run Falls Just Short
Despite falling short in the final, Alexandre Muller had a fantastic tournament. The Frenchman, ranked No. 60 in the world, upset Buenos Aires champion Joao Fonseca before defeating three Argentines in a row—Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Francisco Cerundolo, and Francisco Comesana—to reach his third ATP final.
However, fatigue seemed to catch up with Muller, who endured a grueling two-hour, 55-minute semi-final battle against Comesana on Saturday night. Speaking after the match, the 28-year-old expressed gratitude for the passionate South American fans:
“It was my first time in South America, and I have to thank you all. You were amazing throughout the week.”
What’s Next for Baez and Muller?
Baez will now head to Santiago, where he will look to defend his title. Meanwhile, Muller will shift his focus to the hard courts of Acapulco, hoping to build on his strong performance in Rio.
With this victory, Sebastian Baez has cemented his place as a rising star in men’s tennis, proving once again that he thrives on the clay courts. Fans will be eager to see if he can maintain his momentum in the coming weeks!
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