Everyone knows that playing tennis in South America It requires a special patience and tenacity. The distance from the great places of world tennis, the geographic situation facing many tours in a certain area and economic difficulties are many of the factors that make life difficult for many Latin American promises. If in the countries with the largest academy and surface it can already become expensive (Argentina or Brazil), imagine in other nations with less tennis tradition. That, of course, has other positive aspects: if there are not many references, it is time to create them. Every tournament is an opportunity to make history for your country… tell that to gonzalo good.
At the beginning of this week, surely very few knew the name of this player. nature of Trujilloa city located northwest of Peru, Bueno started playing tennis when he was only 3 years old, motivated by the adventures of his older brother. The tennis history of the South American country has two great exponents to Jaime Yzaga (He became #18 in the ATP ranking and won 8 titles) and Lucho Horna (former #33 in the world, winner of two titles and champion of Roland Garros in doubles). They are the two great references of a country that has wandered for decades without having any mirror in which to model its great promises, a situation that has not prevented Gonzalo, along with the also junior Ignatius Busébecame one of the best juniors in the world.
And it is that the trujillano came to be #5 in the world in the junior rankingproclaiming himself champion of the tournament of Bonfiglio, one of the most prestigious events on the circuit. In Italy he gave his first notice of what he is capable of, although it was not until this year that he began his career as a professional. Along the way, he was a junior Roland Garros finalist in doubles along with the aforementioned Ignacio Buse, the other pearl of Peruvian tennis and a great friend of Gonzalo. Precisely the one in charge of molding them is Lucho Horna himself, head of development of the Peruvian Tennis Federation, who supervises his careers and who reached the Challenger de Lima, played this week, with the sole aim of seeing both enjoy the best tennis on the circuit. He didn’t know what awaited him.
A WEEK OF DREAM
Bueno started the week with a paragon victory: he eliminated the Argentine Juan Pablo Ficovich (#127 in the world) by 7-5 and 6-3. It should be remembered that there was 810 positions difference in the ATP ranking between the two, still a sign of Gonzalo’s low mileage at a professional level. That did not prevent him from repeating the feat in the round of 16, taking down Romanian Burruchaga. However, the victory that has gone around the world took place yesterday against a circuit classic, the Portuguese Elias expense: Bueno saved a match point in the second set (with an absolutely insane point) and turned the match around, physically sinking a much more experienced player than him (2-6, 7-6(2), 6 -0). He is through to his first semifinals at the Challenger level…in just his second main draw at this level.
Delight for the home crowd last night in Lima!–
—- Gonzalo Bueno saves a match point and defeats Elias 2-6 7-6(2) 6-0 to reach the last four —#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/y3Ol84e9fX
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 13, 2022
It never exceeded this instance Well, not even at the Futures level. Today you will have before Thiago Tirante a new opportunity, but it is time to analyze one of the great promises of world tennis. To start, two facts that say it all: he is Peruvian younger in reaching the semifinals of a Challenger tournament since Jaime Yzaga in Bahía 1985. Yes, more than 35 years apart and new parallels with the legends of his country. Not only that: he is only the third player from the 2004 category to reach the semi-finals of a Challenger tournament. The other two? Neither more nor less than two junior Grand Slam champions: Luca Van Assche (French, won Roland Garros) and Mili Poljicak (Croatian, won Wimbledon).
“I am someone who leaves everything on the field, who does not give up a point for lost and who has a lot of grit. I really like to play with the rightI feel comfortable when I manage to attack from there”Bueno confessed to Depor about his playing style, in an interview in which he also revealed that Rafael Nadal (internationally) and John Paul Varillas (at the national level) are its two great references. Just by taking a look one can corroborate such a statement: the Peruvian is a great defender, a tennis player who forces you to play an extra ball and who has an extraordinary physical condition, going from defense to attack with ease. It’s the forehand that unlocks everything, although he still has to pick up a lot more ball rhythm on the backhand side, something he will do over time. In his tennis there is pride, a predisposition to suffer and a privileged physique, tools that can go a long way.
YOU ARE INSANE, GONZA —-
With tremendous Davis Cup weather, Gonzalo Bueno (18) beat Gastao Elias (199th) 2-6 7-6 6-0 to become the youngest Peruvian tennis player to reach the semifinals of a Challenger in the last 25 years .
It will be Top 600 ATP. Craziness. pic.twitter.com/fmD8znRoId
– Ariel Fernández (@AFD7L) August 13, 2022
“Gonzalo is very consistent and a great fighter, someone who looks to get every ball and plays aggressively when he can. I think his biggest strength is his fighting ability“says about him Roberta Burzagli, the head of the ITF Grand Slams Development Program, a program that both Bueno and Buse have been part of. Everyone who knows him praises his tenacity: Ignacio himself, compatriot and friend, too. “Gonzalo’s greatest strength is his mentality, 100%. He is very good. His forehand is impressive and the things he does off the court are also very good”. He is the new face of Peru, the big name of the week and a junior who wants to earn his place in the circuit with fight, work and determination. Perhaps in a few years they will remember to read this article and discover a young Peruvian who does not give up… or not. Everything at his time, but for now, write down the name of Gonzalo Bueno.
