Sebastian Baezhas claimed the fifth and biggest title of his career…
On Sunday, the 23-year-old Argentine professional tennis player defeated compatriot Mariano Navone 6-2, 6-1 at the Rio Open.
The fifth-seeded Baez wasn’t seriously challenged by the 22-year-old Navone, a qualifier, in the final of the clay-court tournament.
Neither of the two Argentinians had been among the favorites to lift the title, but defending champion Cameron Norrie, Carlos Alcaraz, Stan Wawrinka and Nicolás Jarry had all stumbled.
Baez is the second Argentinian to lift the trophy, with Diego Schwartzmanthe first in 2018.
Baez is set to climb to a career-high No. 21 in the rankings on Monday, from his current No. 30.
Navone will become a top 100 player for the first time, reaching No. 60 after Rio.
," the 30th-ranked Báez said. "We are using this [tournament] to climb up, we are young. I like to play in Rio, come to Brazil. When I don't play against a Brazilian I feel like a local." By beating his first Top 50 opponent, Navone became the first qualifier to…
Make that two in a row for Sebastian Baez. The 24-year-old Argentine tennis player became the first player to successfully defend the Rio Open title on Sunday after overcoming Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-3 at the ATP 500 event in Brazil. In front of the capacity crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Baez produced…
Carlos Alcaraz is heading to his second final of the season, and he’ll face the same foe… The 19-year-old Spanish tennis player and Cameron Norrie won semifinal matches on Saturday to set up their second straight final at the Rio Open. Alcaraz worked hard to beat Nicolas Jarry 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-0 on…
The fifth-seeded Baez wasn’t seriously challenged by the 22-year-old Navone, a qualifier, in the final of the clay-court tournament.
